Accused AB10 shooter pleads not guilty to state charges, prosecutors cite public safety concerns
Anibal Hernandez Santana, the man accused of shooting into the ABC10 news station lobby, appeared in court Thursday for arraignment in one of the two cases against him and pleaded not guilty.Hernandez Santana, 64, faces both state and federal charges, but his state court hearings had been on hold as the federal case played out.During his Thursday court appearance, Hernandez Santana pleaded not guilty and denied allegations of enhancements in response to his multiple counts that were read.The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office at the hearing described Hernandez Santana as a "highly dangerous individual" and that he is a "massive security issue."Judge David Bonilla, who presided over the hearing, explained that a no-bail option was the only option to reasonably protect the public. Hernandez Santana was also recently charged with firing into a vacant business in the same vicinity of ABC10 before that shooting. The court accepted a motion to join that case with the main one.His next court date for the state case is set for Jan. 21, 2026.Hernandez Santana's federal charges include knowingly possessing and discharging a firearm within a school zone and interference with a radio communication station.While no one was injured in the Sept. 19 shooting, people were inside the ABC10 building at the time. This shooting happened days after late-night host Jimmy Kimmel was abruptly — but temporarily — pulled off the air over comments he made related to the late Charlie Kirk.Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho has previously told KCRA 3 he believes the shooting was politically motivated, explaining that he thinks a note found after Hernandez Santana's arrest is a reference to Kirk. Ho also stated that part of the motivation was "to attack a free press, a free media."Hernandez Santana is a lawyer, retired lobbyist and an Army veteran.Hernandez Santana's defense has stated that he believes the defendant is being made an example of by federal prosecutors because his "political career and political alignment place him squarely in the category of the perceived 'enemies' of The Trump Administration."See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
