California State Police are looking into reports of gunfire that struck local ABC affiliates, coinciding with protests against the network’s choice to suspend late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
On Friday, shortly after 1:30 PM, Sacramento police responded to reports of shots fired at ABC10. Investigating officers found three bullets had penetrated the windows of the station’s headquarters while employees were present.
“Officers observed evidence of at least three gunshots in the building’s windows,” noted the Sacramento Police Department in an official statement.
“Fortunately, no injuries were reported since the building was occupied at the time.”
Details about the incident are still sparse; officials cannot yet determine if the shooting was random or aimed at the station. Notably, no protesters were around during the incident.
This shooting comes just a day after about 15 individuals protested outside the station. Kimmel’s controversial comments on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” regarding conservative activist Charlie Kirk reportedly sparked this unrest.
ABC10, known as KXTV, is a station owned by Tegna and isn’t directly run by ABC or Disney, but demonstrators expressed their frustration at the local affiliate, calling it censorship.
A spokesperson for Tegna confirmed, “It is evident that a shot was fired at the KXTV station today.”
“Details remain limited, but it’s important to note that all employees are safe and unharmed,” the spokesperson added.
Tegna also stated its cooperation with law enforcement, taking further measures to ensure employee safety.
Video footage from the protest showcased people holding signs advocating for Kimmel’s freedom of speech.
The tension escalated earlier in the week following Kimmel’s Monday monologue, where he characterized the “Magagang” as “deadly” wrong, attempting to distance himself from 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, the accused murderer associated with Kirk.
Critics, particularly from conservative circles, retaliated, citing evidence suggesting the accused held left-leaning views.
Brendan Kerr, appointed by Trump as the FCC Chairman, commented to a conservative podcaster that the network must “course correct” their actions.
Nexstar Media Group recently announced a $6.2 billion acquisition deal for Tegna and its affiliates, including KXTV.
By Wednesday, ABC revealed that Kimmel’s late-night show would be “indefinitely suspended,” which ignited backlash nationwide, leading to protests in cities like New York and Los Angeles.
Kimmel has not appeared on air since the suspension, and Disney has yet to announce when the show might return.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact investigators at 916-808-5471.
