A woman has been arrested for allegedly firing shots at a Bakersfield newsroom on two occasions. Police apprehended Thomashana Renee Zeigler, 46, during a traffic stop while she was on her way back to the KBAK/KBFX news station last Thursday night.
According to the Bakersfield Police Department, officers discovered a loaded .40 caliber gun and an additional loaded magazine inside Zeigler’s vehicle. Following her arrest, she was booked at the Kern County Jail.
This arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into the shootings that occurred on October 9 and October 13, during which someone fired multiple rounds into the newsroom.
Surveillance footage from one of the incidents captured a black vehicle pulling up to the station, followed by flashes from the driver’s side window. Reports indicate that 10 shots targeted a conference room and an office before further gunfire was reported days later. Thankfully, while several people were present at the time, there were no injuries.
In the aftermath of the second shooting, police located nearly a dozen .40-caliber shell casings and observed multiple bullet holes in the building. Investigative efforts included analyzing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and city cameras, along with data from automated license plate readers, which were crucial in identifying Zeigler.
Police noted that “the coordinated efforts” of various units within the department played a vital role in her being tracked down and arrested, possibly preventing another incident.
The owner of the news station, Sinclair Inc., expressed relief that a suspect had been caught and emphasized gratitude that no one was harmed during the shootings. They also commended the diligence of the Bakersfield Police Department in resolving the matter.
Zeigler faces several charges, including possessing a loaded firearm and shooting at a building occupied by individuals. Her bail has been set at $220,000, and she is scheduled to appear in court again on October 20.
