A man suspected of shooting at a building that houses an ABC affiliate in Sacramento, California, last month pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Monday.
Anibal Hernandez Santana, 64, pleaded not guilty to four federal counts — one each of discharge of a firearm within a school zone and interference with a radio communication station and two counts of possession of a firearm within a school zone.
He is accused of shooting at the KXTV building in Sacramento from a vehicle on Sept. 19. A spokesperson for Tegna, which owns the ABC-affiliated station, said in a statement at the time that “all of our employees are safe and unharmed.”
An FBI special agent wrote in an affidavit that investigators who searched his vehicle found a note which read: “For hiding Epstein & ignoring red flags. Do not support Patel, Bongino, & AG Pam Bondie. They’re next. — C.K. from above.” Those were apparent references to FBI Director Kash Patel, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Sacramento police responded to a report of a shooting at around 1:34 p.m. and found the north window of the building had been shot, the agent wrote in the affidavit.
There were three bullet holes in the window, and a witness found a 9 mm casing, the agent said in the affidavit.
“We will soon receive evidence in this case and look forward to reviewing it to determine the best defense moving forward,” Hernandez’ attorney, Mark Reichel, said in a statement Monday.
The shooting occurred two days after ABC’s parent company, Disney, announced it was suspending “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” following backlash over Kimmel’s comments about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, including from Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr.
The Sacramento County district attorney said the shooting may have partially been motivated by the program’s suspension.
The show returned Sept. 23.
