A Sacramento television station became the target of gunfire on Friday, prompting a federal investigation and the re-arrest of the alleged gunman who had been released on bail just hours earlier.

Anibal Hernandez Santana, a 64-year-old Sacramento resident, was arrested twice over the weekend in connection with a drive-by shooting at ABC10’s station in Sacramento and is currently being held without bail on federal charges, as KCRA reports.

The shooting occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. on Friday at the ABC10 (KXTV) station located at 400 Broadway in Sacramento’s Land Park neighborhood. Security at the station found three apparent bullet strikes in the front lobby windows. Although someone was inside the lobby at the time of the incident, no injuries were reported.

Station management confirmed the attack on Friday, stating additional safety measures are in place for staff. TEGNA, the parent company of ABC10, said in a statement that all employees were accounted for and unharmed. Sacramento Police responded quickly to the scene and initiated a search for the suspect vehicle captured on surveillance.

Initial arrest followed by quick release

Later that same evening, law enforcement arrested Santana at a residence located in the 5400 block of Carlson Drive, within the River Park neighborhood. A SWAT operation was carried out during the evening hours, resulting in a heavy police presence witnessed by local tenants.

Angela, one of Santana’s neighbors, said she saw him just minutes before officers surrounded the area. “We made eye contact,” she recalled. “And right as he passed my windshield, I heard on a loudspeaker a whole bunch of officers say, ‘Get down on the ground or we’re going to shoot.’”

Authorities took Santana into custody and booked him into Sacramento County Main Jail shortly before midnight on Saturday He faced initial charges including assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm with gross negligence, and shooting into an occupied structure. His bail was set at $200,000, which he posted later that day.

Second arrest tied to federal investigation

Soon after Santana's release, federal authorities issued a second arrest warrant. The FBI, which began assisting the Sacramento Police with the case, detained Santana again based on probable cause under federal statute 47 USC 333. This law criminalizes the willful interference with licensed radio communications, hinting at a broader investigation beyond the local charges.

Following his re-arrest, Santana was placed under a federal hold, making him ineligible for bail. No weapon had been recovered as of Saturday, and authorities have not disclosed whether his actions affected broadcast signals.

Santana is scheduled to appear in federal court on Monday at 2 p.m. in Sacramento. He also faces a court hearing in Sacramento Superior Court on Tuesday at 3 p.m. His legal representation has been confirmed by defense attorney Mark Reichel, though no public statement has been made since his initial release.

Witnesses shocked by sudden escalation

Neighbors at the River Park Apartments expressed disbelief following the arrest. Many described Santana as an ordinary, quiet tenant whom they observed regularly but never suspected of being involved in violence.

“He was a nice guy,” said Emily Alves, another resident. “But then after hearing all this, we were just like, ‘What? What happened?" Others, like Destini Rich, noticed his daily patterns but never saw behavior that alarmed them. “We parked right next to each other. There are no cars in between us, so I’m always seeing him coming and going,” she said.

Despite no known threats being made before the incident, a protest related to the recent suspension of the “Jimmy Kimmel Show” had taken place outside the station the day before. Police have not linked the protest to the shooting, and no demonstrations were recorded at the scene at the time gunfire erupted.

Lessons to learn

1. Remain alert even in familiar surroundings: The River Park community was stunned by Santana’s sudden arrest, which took place in a quiet residential complex. Residents should know their surroundings and be alert to even small, unusual behaviors. However, it’s important to remember that not all threats are visible, and many dangerous individuals may appear ordinary.

2. Be cautious when working at public-facing institutions: Journalists and broadcast staff work on the front lines of information-sharing, sometimes making them targets. Newsrooms and similar locations should invest in robust security planning and response protocols to ensure employee safety.

3. Understand that crime can affect anyone: Even with all precautions taken, crime remains unpredictable. Victims and communities should never be blamed when violence occurs, and instead, support structures must be built to assist them through the aftermath of such incidents.

Why this story matters

The shooting underscores a growing concern about violence against journalists and media institutions.

As newsrooms continue to perform their role in maintaining an informed public, ensuring their protection has become increasingly important.

This case also highlights the value of coordination between local law enforcement and federal agencies in swiftly addressing public safety threats.