A man charged with firing on an ABC affiliate television station in Sacramento, California, left behind a handwritten note that threatened Trump officials in the aftermath of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The suspect, identified as 64-year-old Anibal Hernandez-Santana, is facing multiple charges, including firearms violations and counts of assault, following the shooting.
Authorities say Hernandez-Santana opened fire on the Sacramento-based ABC station shortly after the late-night program “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was pulled from ABC affiliates nationwide.
Investigators recovered a note at the scene written by Hernandez-Santana, according to reports. It read: “For hiding Epstein & ignoring red flags. Do not support Patel, Bongino, & AG Pam Bondie. They’re next.”
The message was signed with the initials “CK,” followed by the phrase “from above.”
Prosecutors believe the initials reference Charlie Kirk, who was recently murdered.
Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho said the evidence indicates Hernandez-Santana’s actions were politically motivated.
“The note is circumstantial evidence that Hernandez-Santana had a political motive behind the shooting,” Ho said.
“We’re still looking at investigating the case, but he chose a very particular target, and with the notes that he left behind and the target in place and the recent dismissal of the Jimmy Kimmel show, I think there’s circumstantial evidence there to show that this was politically motivated crime by this individual.”
Ho added that prosecutors are reviewing the “CK” initials to determine whether they were directly intended as a reference to Charlie Kirk.
National Review reported that officials confirmed that Hernandez-Santana allegedly fired three rounds into the building during the incident. No injuries were reported as a result of the gunfire.
The attack came within days of ABC’s decision to indefinitely remove “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” from its programming lineup.
The cancellation followed remarks made by Kimmel in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Speaking on air, Kimmel said: “The MAGA gang is desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.”
Kimmel’s comments suggested that Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with Kirk’s killing, was aligned with the political right.
Law enforcement officials, however, identified Robinson’s political ties as belonging to the far-left.
Kimmel’s remarks drew backlash, particularly from conservative audiences who accused the host of spreading false claims about Robinson’s affiliations.
Shortly after the broadcast, Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns dozens of ABC affiliate stations across the United States, announced it would no longer air Kimmel’s program.
Days later, Hernandez-Santana allegedly targeted the Sacramento ABC affiliate in an incident that prosecutors say bore clear political undertones.
District Attorney Ho said the timing of the shooting in connection to Kimmel’s cancellation suggested Hernandez-Santana may have acted in response to the controversy.
The Post Millennial reported that at present, Hernandez-Santana remains in custody as the case develops.
Authorities have not confirmed whether he has retained legal representation.
