Anibal Hernandez Santana is set to return to federal and state court for charges related to a shooting at the ABC10 building.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A man accused of firing multiple rounds into the lobby of ABC10’s Sacramento building is due back in both federal and state court Tuesday afternoon.
Prosecutors say Anibal Hernandez Santana fired one shot from his vehicle toward the station on Third Street last Friday before pulling into the lot and shooting three more rounds through the lobby window while employees were working inside. No one was injured.
Hernandez Santana faces charges in federal court, including interfering with a federally licensed station, carrying and firing a gun in a school zone, and possessing a firearm there. On the state level, he is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and shooting into an occupied building. If convicted on the state charges, he could face up to 17 years in prison.
His attorney, Mark Reichel, said he will seek bail in federal court under strict conditions to ensure public safety. A motion filed on Hernandez Santana’s behalf describes him as being raised in Puerto Rico “in an excellent family,” graduating from UC Berkeley, serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, and working for more than 30 years in legislative advocacy. The filing also says he has no prior criminal record.
ABC10 requested two jailhouse interviews with Hernandez Santana but was denied. However, CBS13 Sacramento interviewed him under restrictions that barred questions about guilt, innocence, or motive. When asked what he would say to those frightened by the shooting, Hernandez Santana said, “I am very looking forward and very eager to sort of explain precisely how I may or may not feel about that. Again, these are alleged accusations. Just today, I was thinking about that.”
Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho has described the shooting as a politically motivated attack. Ho said investigators found notes during searches of Hernandez-Santana’s home and car. On a calendar posted on his refrigerator, authorities found the words “do the next scary thing” written on Sept. 19. A note discovered inside his car referenced several political figures, next to an anti-Trump book.
Ho said the findings show Hernandez Santana poses a danger to the public if released, emphasizing the need to protect the community.
ABC10 has submitted a third interview request through Hernandez-Santana’s attorney, who said he was not aware of the earlier jailhouse interview. He said he plans to speak with his client about whether to participate in future interviews.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10 | Prosecutors argue ABC10 shooting suspect too dangerous for bail in Sacramento