Police in Sacramento, California, have arrested 61-year-old Anibal Hernandezsantana for allegedly firing shots at the building of local ABC affiliate KXTV. He faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon, shooting into an occupied building, and negligent discharge of a firearm.
The incident occurred shortly before 1:30 p.m. local time on Friday, September 19, 2025. While the building was occupied at the time, thankfully, no injuries were reported. Although a motive remains unclear, KXTV noted preceding protests following ABC's suspension of “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” The station had received “numerous” complaints related to this.
It's important to note that KXTV, while an ABC affiliate and branding itself as “ABC10,” is owned by Tegna, not ABC or Disney. Tegna owns or operates nearly 60 stations nationwide, making it the fourth-largest owner of ABC affiliates. This case underscores the common misconception that local stations are directly controlled by their associated networks.
While the exact number of shots fired is still being determined, KXTV reported that three rounds appeared to have struck its lobby windows. Following the shooting, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statement: “While no injuries have been reported, any act of violence toward journalists is an attack on our democracy itself and must be condemned in the strongest terms. We stand with reporters and staff who work every day to keep communities informed and safe!”