A man accused of firing shots into the lobby of the ABC station in Sacramento, California, is now in FBI custody after local authorities released him on bail.
Anibal Hernandez Santana, 64, was initially arrested at a home in the community of River Park on Friday, Sept. 19, Sacramento police announced in a news release.
Hernandez Santana’s arrest came hours after someone fired three shots into KXTV ABC10 during a drive-by shooting earlier in the day.
No one was injured but employees were inside the building working at the time of the shooting, as previously reported.
The shots rang out a day after a large group of demonstrators gathered in front of the station to protest ABC suspending Jimmy Kimmel over remarks the late-night host made about the fatal shooting of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk.
Police vowed to catch the person who fired shots at the TV station.
“We’re going to figure out who’s responsible for this,” said Sacramento PD spokesman, Officer Anthony Gamble.
Related: Shots Fired Into Lobby of Sacramento ABC Station After Kimmel Suspension
Within hours, the department announced an arrest.
“Thanks to the prompt and diligent work of our responding officers and investigators, the suspect vehicle was identified, leading officers to a residence in the 5400 block of Carlson Drive,” the news release said.
So far, no motive has been released.
Hernandez Santana was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail, and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, shooting into an occupied building, and negligent discharge of a firearm.
His bail was set at $200,000, which he posted Saturday, ABC10 reported.
Later in the day, the FBI stepped in and re-arrested him on suspicion of violating federal statute 47 USC 333.
The statute says, “No person shall willfully or maliciously interfere with or cause interference to any radio communications of any station licensed or authorized by or under this chapter or operated by the United States Government.”
Attorney Mark Reichel is representing Hernandez Santana and told local reporters his client recently retired after serving as a lobbyist in the California state legislature.
Reichel described his client as having a “distinguished career,” and questioned if police had the righ person. He urged authorities to produce evidence proving Hernandez Santana was involved in the shooting.
The retiree is scheduled to appear in federal court on Monday, Sept. 22 at 2:00 p.m. PT. The next day, he goes before a judge in state court.
Local police said they had previous interactions with Hernandez Santana, but offered no details as to when or why he landed on their radar.
Discover more from Urban Hollywood 411
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
