Kimmel suspension may have motivated ABC station shooter, prosecutors say

"The county prosecutor noted that Hernandez allegedly chose a very particular target, and with notes that he left behind along with Kimmel's temporary suspension, there's circumstantial evidence there to show that this was a politically motivated crime by this individual. The statement comes as Kimmel was due to return to his late night TV hosting slot Tuesday, though Sinclair, which owns numerous ABC broadcast affiliates, has said it will not carry the show."

"Kimmel had criticized the Trump administration's reaction to the killing of rightwing youth organizer Charlie Kirk on 10 September in Utah. In turn, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission who is loyal to Donald Trump had threatened to pull ABC affiliate broadcast licenses if the network did not act against Kimmel. According to a federal complaint filed Monday by the US attorney's office in Sacramento, Hernandez wrote a note invoking late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, once a friend of Trump and said that high-level officials of the president's administration were next while making reference to FBI director Kash Patel, the agency's deputy director Dan Bongino and US attorney general Pam Bondi."

"The complaint said that during a search of Hernandez's home and vehicle, law enforcement discovered a weekly planner attached to his refrigerator. Under Friday, there was a handwritten note that read: Do the Next Scary Thing. Law enforcement also found in his car a handwritten note that read: For hiding Epstein & ignoring red flags."

Anibal Hernandez Santana, 64, is accused of shooting at an ABC affiliate station in Sacramento, and prosecutors say there is circumstantial evidence of a political motive. District Attorney Thien Ho said Hernandez's choice of target and notes left behind, along with Jimmy Kimmel's temporary suspension, point to a politically motivated crime. Kimmel had criticized the Trump administration's reaction to the killing of rightwing youth organizer Charlie Kirk, and Sinclair said it will not carry Kimmel's show. A federal complaint says Hernandez invoked Jeffrey Epstein and named Kash Patel, Dan Bongino and Pam Bondi. Law enforcement found a planner noting 'Do the Next Scary Thing' and a car note reading 'For hiding Epstein & ignoring red flags.'

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