On Friday, California police confirmed they are investigating reports of gunfire that struck the local ABC affiliate, ABC10, in Sacramento. This incident occurred shortly after a protest the previous day, where demonstrators voiced their discontent over the network's suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Sacramento police responded to the scene after receiving reports of gunfire at the ABC10 headquarters on Broadway. Eyewitness accounts revealed that three bullets had shattered a window while employees were present inside the building. According to a statement from the Sacramento Police Department, “Responding officers observed at least three gunshots into a window of the building. The building was occupied, and fortunately, nobody was injured.”
As the investigation continues, police have yet to release any suspect information or clarify whether the shooting was a random act or a targeted attack. Notably, there were no protesters near the ABC10 building at the time of the shooting, raising questions about the motive behind the incident. The day before, around 15 individuals had gathered outside the station, expressing their outrage over ABC's decision regarding Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
The protests were fueled by Kimmel's controversial comments regarding conservative activist Charlie Kirk, whose alleged killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was a focal point in the uproar. ABC10, also referred to as KXTV, is an affiliate of Tegna and operates independently from ABC and Disney. Nonetheless, the demonstrators directed their grievances toward the local station, accusing it of censorship.
A spokesperson for Tegna confirmed the shooting incident, stating, “We can confirm that shots were fired into our station at KXTV earlier today. While details are still limited, importantly all of our employees are safe and unharmed.” The spokesperson further emphasized that the company is “fully cooperating with law enforcement and has taken additional measures to ensure the continued safety of our employees.”
Video footage from the protest highlighted demonstrators carrying signs that criticized ABC and defended Kimmel's right to free speech. The controversy surrounding Kimmel began earlier in the week when he inaccurately claimed during a Monday monologue that the “MAGA gang” was trying to dissociate itself from Kirk’s accused killer. This statement ignited backlash from conservative circles, who pointed to evidence suggesting the accused held leftist views.
In the wake of Kimmel's comments, FCC Chair Brendan Carr, appointed by former President Trump, urged the network to “correct course,” indicating potential repercussions if they failed to address the situation. Nexstar Media Group, which has recently announced a $6.2 billion acquisition deal for Tegna and its affiliates, including KXTV, has called for Kimmel's removal from the air as a response to his remarks about Kirk.
By Wednesday, ABC declared that the late-night show would be “pre-empted indefinitely,” a decision that sparked protests across the nation, including in major cities like New York and Los Angeles. Since his suspension, Kimmel has not appeared on-air, and Disney, the parent company of ABC, has not provided any updates regarding the show's potential return.
As authorities continue their investigation into the gunfire incident, police are urging anyone with information to contact investigators at (916) 808-5471.
