Federal authorities say a man arrested in connection with a shooting at an ABC television affiliate in Sacramento, California, left behind a handwritten note indicating plans to target senior members of former President Donald Trump’s administration, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino.
Suspect in Custody
The suspect, Anibal Hernandez-Santana, 64, was arrested by FBI agents on Saturday, one day after a drive-by shooting at ABC 10 studios. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Hernandez-Santana had initially been taken into custody by local authorities and charged with assault with a deadly weapon and other offenses. After posting $200,000 bail and being released, he was re-arrested hours later by federal agents and is now being held under a federal detention order.
Handwritten Note and Online Activity
According to the Department of Justice, investigators recovered a note from Hernandez-Santana’s vehicle that read:
“For hiding Epstein & ignoring red flags. Do not support Patel, Bongino, & AG Pam Bondi. They’re next. — C.K. from above.”
Officials say the note, along with other evidence, points to a politically motivated act. The reference to “C.K.” is believed to allude to the recent killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, though authorities have not confirmed a direct connection.
Hernandez-Santana’s social media history, reviewed by Variety, reportedly showed consistent anti-Trump commentary. In one recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the suspect wrote:
“Where is a good heart attack when we need it the most?? Please join in my thoughts and prayers for the physical demise of our fearful leader.”
In other messages from July, he wrote that he was ready to “fight like hell” against the Trump administration.
His attorney, Mark Reichel, told Sacramento’s KCRA 3 that Hernandez-Santana is being scrutinized because of his political views:
“If you look at his social media, they’re going to say, ‘Boy, it sure shows that he’s liberal and left wing.’ So you think they’re going to overlook something like that? I don’t think so.”
Federal Charges Filed
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest in a post on X, stating the suspect was taken into custody under federal charges for interference with licensed broadcasts.
“Targeted acts of violence are unacceptable and will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law,” Patel wrote.
The shooting occurred on the morning of September 19, one day after a protest outside ABC 10. Approximately 15 individuals had gathered to express anger over ABC’s suspension of comedian Jimmy Kimmel, following his controversial remarks about the Charlie Kirk assassination.
Kimmel had claimed on air that conservative figures were attempting to deflect from the shooter’s apparent political alignment. However, law enforcement reports later revealed the suspect, Tyler Robinson, had expressed leftist and anti-fascist views and was reportedly in a relationship with a transgender partner.
Tributes and Investigation Ongoing
The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, has sparked national attention. During her eulogy at a memorial in Glendale, Arizona, Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, shared emotional memories, including what she described as a peaceful expression on her husband’s face after his death.
“His eyes were semi-open and he had this knowing, Mona Lisa-like half-smile. Like he’d died happy. Like Jesus rescued him,” she told The New York Times.
“Even in death, I could see the man that I love. I saw the one, single gray hair on the side of his head, which I never told him about. Now he knows.”
The FBI continues to investigate the shooting and any possible connections between Hernandez-Santana and other politically motivated acts.
Patel said the agency remains committed to “pursuing every lead” related to both the Sacramento shooting and the broader context surrounding recent political violence.
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