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A man accused of firing bullets into the Sacramento ABC affiliate’s offices last week had handwritten notes in his car that threatened members of the Trump administration, according to federal officials.Anibal Hernandez Santana, 64, is charged with multiple firearms offences and interference with a federally licensed radio or communications station after the Sept. 19 incident at ABC10 in California’s capital. No one was injured, but employees had to shelter in place and halt operations temporarily.Authorities said that after Hernandez Santana posted bail on Saturday, police searched his car and found a note reading, “For hiding Epstein & ignoring red flags. Do not support Patel, Bongino, & AG Pam Bondi. They’re next. – CK from above”, as per Fox News. Prosecutors said the reference to “CK” appeared to be a nod to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, recently killed by a sniper in Utah. Police also discovered a book titled “The Cult of Trump” in his vehicle.According to news agency AP, Hernandez Santana was initially booked on state charges, including shooting into an occupied building, assault with a deadly weapon and negligent discharge of a firearm. He faces federal charges for discharging a firearm within a school zone and interfering with a communications station, which carry up to five years in prison. District Attorney Thien Ho also noted that under the date of the shooting, the suspect had written in a planner, “Do the Next Scary Thing”.Hernandez Santana, a retired lobbyist born in Puerto Rico, was not registered with any political party, according to state voting records. Ho said the attack appeared politically motivated, citing both the notes and the context of recent national events, including protests at the station over late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension and remarks about Charlie Kirk.Acting US Attorney Bill Essayli criticised Hernandez Santana’s initial release on bail, posting on X, “Welcome to California, where someone can commit attempted murder and be back on the streets the same day”. Meanwhile, Hernandez Santana’s lawyer Mark Reichel described the case as “highly unusual” and emphasised his client’s right to due process, stating, “He is innocent unless and until he is found otherwise”.FBI Director Kash Patel also condemned the attack on X and wrote, “Targeted acts of violence are unacceptable and will be pursued to the fullest extent of the law”.Authorities said Hernandez Santana fired four times at the ABC station — once near the building and three times at the lobby window. Sacramento police said the station was clearly not a random target and prosecutors plan to seek to hold him without bail in federal court.
