Accused TV news station shooter ordered held without bond

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) — An attorney for a Sacramento, California, man accused of shooting into a television station office argued in court documents that his client was only in federal court because of President Donald Trump.

Anibal Hernandez Santana, 64, sought release on bond due to a strong support network with house arrest, an ankle monitor and wraparound services, which his attorney Mark Reichel argued would protect the community.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Chi Soo Kim disagreed, ruling no plan could ensure safety and ordered him detained, following U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services’ recommendation.

“Mr. Anibal Hernandez Santana is a clear danger to the community as well as a flight risk,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliot Wong said. “This appeared to be a planned attack.”

Charged with possession and discharge of a firearm in a school zone and interference with a radio communication station after allegedly firing one shot toward, and three shots into, ABC10 last Friday, authorities said. An employee was in the lobby, but no one was hurt.

Santana appeared in federal court Monday, though his detention hearing was postponed until Thursday. He also faces state charges.

Federal agents arrested him over the weekend and, in searches of his home and car, found a weekly planner with the note “Do the Next Scary Thing” under Friday and a handwritten note that read: “For hiding Epstein & ignoring red flags. Do not support Patel, Bongino, & AG Pam Bondi. They’re next. – C.K. from above,” according to officials.

Prosecutors pointed to a visit by Santana to an elementary school days before the shooting, where he said he wanted to read to children, as a red flag that alarmed staff.

Reichel countered that the weekly planner note found in Santana’s home was not a violent plan but a self-help mantra from Alcoholics Anonymous. He also downplayed concerns about the school visit, noting regular staff were absent that day and that workers only reported Santana after media coverage of the ABC10 shooting.

Santana argued in court documents that his case is in federal court only because of Trump and “his brand of political authoritarianism.” He argued that a state case against him makes more sense.

“Of note, it is not capable of dispute that there are hundreds of shootings into the air and occupied building shootings in Sacramento County yearly,” Santana said. “None make their way to the District Court in Sacramento.”

Santana, who has a law degree and a background in legislative advocacy, argued in court filings that his political views made him a target of the Trump administration.

Reichel said his client was willing to surrender his passport and the only firearm he kept in a bank deposit box if released. But Wong countered that investigators found evidence Santana possessed more than one gun. Reichel replied that Santana had lawfully sold firearms, and only the federal government would have those records.

“We know facts are rarely one-sided,” Reichel said.

Denied federal release, Santana was expected to appear moments later before a Sacramento County Superior Court judge for his arraignment on state charges. However, as he remained in federal custody, the hearing was postponed to Oct. 16.