ABC Shooting, Suspect Targeted Bondi, Patel!
Federal authorities have arrested 64-year-old Anibal Hernandez-Santana after a brazen drive-by shooting outside the ABC 10 news station in Sacramento, California. The incident took place in the early hours of September 19, shocking staff at the local station and rattling the wider community. Though no injuries were reported, the attack quickly escalated into a federal case once investigators uncovered disturbing details about the suspect’s intentions.
According to the Justice Department, Hernandez-Santana fired several rounds from his vehicle at the station’s headquarters before speeding away. Fortunately, no employees were inside the building at the time, and the gunfire caused only property damage. Still, authorities treated the event as more than an act of vandalism. The discovery of a handwritten note in his car changed the trajectory of the investigation and revealed potential motives that reached far beyond Sacramento.
Inside the suspect’s vehicle, investigators found pages of scrawled writing naming high-profile figures including former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Director Dan Bongino. The document suggested that these officials could be considered future targets. Officials familiar with the case said the notes referenced unresolved questions surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein case, hinting at conspiracy-driven grievances that appeared to motivate Hernandez-Santana.
The suspect’s online activity provided further insight into his mindset. Variety reported that his social media feeds were filled with pointed criticism of former President Donald Trump and his allies. In numerous posts, Hernandez-Santana railed against what he called government corruption, openly declaring he was ready to “fight like hell.” Federal investigators believe his rhetoric, combined with the written threats, established a clear pattern of political extremism.
Hernandez-Santana’s attorney, Mark Reichel, pushed back on the government’s framing, suggesting prosecutors were attempting to weaponize his client’s political leanings. “They’re going to say, ‘Boy, it sure shows that he’s liberal and left wing,’” Reichel told reporters, arguing that Hernandez-Santana’s criticisms of Trump were protected free speech and should not, by themselves, be seen as evidence of violent intent. Still, the attorney acknowledged the serious nature of the charges his client now faces.
Initially, local authorities arrested Hernandez-Santana and granted him release on a $200,000 bail. However, within days, federal agents stepped in and rearrested him on more serious charges. The federal case is focused on interference with licensed broadcasts, given the attack’s location at a news station, but prosecutors have indicated that additional charges could follow once the investigation is complete. For now, Hernandez-Santana remains in custody under federal hold, with no prospect of bail.
The potential involvement of high-profile names in the suspect’s alleged hit list drew immediate national attention. Kash Patel, the FBI Director, posted a statement on X stressing the government’s zero-tolerance stance toward politically motivated violence. “Targeted acts of violence are unacceptable and will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law,” Patel wrote. Dan Bongino also addressed the news on his radio show, emphasizing the importance of law enforcement vigilance in an era of heightened threats.
While the suspect’s alleged grievances referenced Epstein and political corruption, investigators have not yet established a direct or credible plan to harm the officials listed in the note. However, the Department of Justice has made it clear that any perceived threat against public officials, especially those in the highest levels of law enforcement, will be treated with utmost seriousness.
Local residents of Sacramento expressed unease at the idea that their city had been the stage for such a politically charged act of violence. For employees at ABC 10, relief that no one was hurt has been mixed with heightened anxiety about their safety. “We’re just trying to do our jobs,” one staff member told local reporters, “but it’s scary knowing someone with a gun saw us as a target, even indirectly.”
The case also reignited debates over the role of social media in amplifying extremist rhetoric. Hernandez-Santana’s posts, shared over several years, often blended personal frustrations with sweeping political accusations. Federal investigators are combing through these online traces to better understand his network, influences, and whether anyone else might have encouraged or abetted his actions.
At this stage, prosecutors are focusing on building a case that shows Hernandez-Santana’s intent went far beyond random violence. If proven in court, the combination of written threats, public statements, and the attack on the station could result in decades of prison time. Legal experts note that interference with broadcast operations alone is a serious federal offense, but the mention of high-level officials may push prosecutors to pursue additional terrorism-related charges.
The investigation remains ongoing, with federal agents examining the possibility that Hernandez-Santana scouted other locations or communicated with others about his plans. For now, authorities stress that there is no evidence of an ongoing threat to the officials named, but the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by politically radicalized individuals.
What began as an unsettling but isolated shooting at a local news station has now become a case with national implications, tying together themes of political division, conspiracy-fueled anger, and the risks faced by journalists and public officials alike. As the case moves forward, all eyes will remain on Sacramento—and on what further revelations federal investigators may uncover.