On a quiet Friday afternoon in Sacramento, the city’s ABC10 television station became the unexpected epicenter of a violent incident that has left both the local media community and residents on edge. At approximately 1:30 p.m. on September 19, 2025, gunshots rang out, shattering the lobby window of the ABC affiliate owned by TEGNA. Inside, staff members were going about their daily routines; miraculously, no one was injured despite at least three bullets piercing the glass.
According to the Sacramento Police Department, the shots were fired in a drive-by attack. After the incident, the suspect’s vehicle sped away from the scene, leaving behind a shaken newsroom and three bullet holes as stark reminders of the ordeal. Police responded swiftly to the 400 block of Broadway, where ABC10 is headquartered, launching an immediate investigation into the shooting. The incident came just one day after a protest outside the station over ABC’s indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show—a coincidence that has not gone unnoticed, though police told NPR that any connection between the protest and the shooting remains under investigation.
Within hours, authorities identified and arrested a suspect: 64-year-old Anibal Hernandez-Santana. Early Saturday morning, Hernandez-Santana was taken into custody at his Sacramento home. He faced a raft of serious charges, including shooting into an occupied building, assault with a deadly weapon, and negligent discharge of a firearm. He was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail, with bail set at $200,000. According to Sgt. Amar Gandhi of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, Hernandez-Santana was released later that same day after posting bail.
The story took a dramatic turn soon after. Just hours following his release, the FBI re-arrested Hernandez-Santana, this time on federal charges. He stands accused of violating a federal statute pertaining to interference with radio communications of stations that are federally licensed—a rare and serious allegation. As reported by NBC and KYMA, the federal charge specifically involves interference with government-licensed radio communications, underscoring the gravity of the situation given the role of broadcasters in disseminating critical information to the public.
Hernandez-Santana is expected to appear in federal court on Monday, September 22, 2025, to face these new charges. According to court records cited by NPR, a subsequent appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, at 3 p.m. local time. It remains unclear whether Hernandez-Santana has obtained legal counsel at this time. His motive for the alleged attack is still unknown and remains a central focus of the ongoing investigation by both local and federal authorities.
The arrest sent ripples through the suspect’s neighborhood. Emily Alves, a neighbor, expressed her disbelief to KXTV ABC10, saying, “He was a nice guy. But then after hearing all this, we were we’re just like, 'What? What happened?'” Such sentiments echoed throughout the community, as many struggled to reconcile the image of a seemingly ordinary resident with the severity of the charges now facing him.
Meanwhile, TEGNA, the parent company of ABC10, moved quickly to address safety concerns. In a statement to NPR, a company spokesperson said, “We’re aware of the arrest connected to the shots fired into the KXTV building yesterday and continue to cooperate with the police. Our priority is to ensure our employees’ safety and well-being as they continue to carry out our mission to serve our community with critical local news and information.” The company confirmed that it has increased security measures at the station, aiming to reassure both staff and the broader Sacramento community.
The incident also drew swift condemnation from journalism organizations and advocacy groups. The Sacramento chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) issued a forceful statement on social media, declaring, “As fellow journalists, the members of the Sacramento Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists want to be clear: violence against members of the media is violence against our entire community. Our hearts are with those impacted, and we call on the entire community to join us in lifting up, supporting, and protecting the journalists who serve you every single day.” Their words echoed the growing concern nationwide about the safety of journalists and the increasing threats faced by media professionals.
The timing of the shooting, so soon after protests over the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s show, has fueled speculation about possible motives. However, as NPR reported, police have not established any definitive link between the demonstration and the drive-by attack. The investigation remains active, with authorities examining all potential angles, including whether the shooting was a targeted act or a random incident.
For Sacramento’s media landscape, the event has become a flashpoint in ongoing conversations about press freedom and safety. Attacks on news organizations, whether motivated by political grievances, personal vendettas, or other factors, have a chilling effect not only on journalists but on the communities they serve. As TEGNA’s statement emphasized, the role of local news is critical—particularly at a time when misinformation and heightened tensions can make the work of reporters both more dangerous and more essential.
While the ABC10 staff escaped physical harm, the psychological impact of the shooting lingers. Newsrooms across the country have increasingly had to grapple with the reality of such threats, investing in security protocols and training to prepare for worst-case scenarios. The incident in Sacramento is a stark reminder that even in communities where such violence is rare, journalists are not immune to the risks that come with their profession.
As the legal process unfolds, many questions remain unanswered. What prompted Hernandez-Santana to allegedly open fire on a newsroom? Was it a calculated attack or a spontaneous act? And what, if any, connection exists between the shooting and recent protests at the station? Investigators are working diligently to piece together the chain of events, hoping to provide clarity and, ultimately, a measure of closure for those affected.
In the meantime, ABC10 and its parent company have reaffirmed their commitment to public service journalism. The station continues to broadcast, its staff undeterred by the violence that shattered their sense of security but not their resolve. For Sacramento and the broader journalistic community, the events of September 19, 2025, serve as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the enduring importance of a free and fearless press.
