Gunfire struck a lobby window of an ABC affiliate building in California on Friday. Police responded to the incident in Sacramento after a passing vehicle fired shots at the building and quickly fled the scene. Although the exact number of shots is uncertain, police confirmed that at least three rounds hit the building. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, with no description of the attackers provided by officials.
Footage from the scene revealed that the window had sustained at least three bullet holes. The shooting incident occurred following a protest outside the station against ABC’s decision to suspend Jimmy Kimmel’s program after his comments regarding the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. It is yet to be determined if there is a direct connection between the shooting and the demonstrations.
Several ABC-affiliated stations announced that they would not air Kimmel’s program due to the remarks made shortly after the killing. President Donald J Trump commented on the situation, attributing Kimmel’s suspension to poor ratings and lack of talent. Various Hollywood personalities, such as Ben Stiller and Jean Smart, expressed their opinions on Kimmel’s suspension, with Stiller criticizing the decision and Smart defending Kimmel’s right to free speech.
The suspension of Kimmel’s show is part of a series of conflicts between Trump’s administration and the media. Trump has settled disputes with CBS and ABC over separate incidents, leading to speculation that his legal battle with CBS contributed to the cancellation of the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. President Trump supported ABC’s decision to suspend Kimmel, praising the network for taking action.
Kimmel had focused on Tyler Robinson, the alleged gunman, in his monologue, leading to controversy and backlash. The FCC Chairman condemned Kimmel’s remarks as “truly sick.” Sinclair, the largest broadcasting company in the US’ ABC affiliate group, outlined conditions that need to be met before airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! again, including an apology and a donation to Charlie Kirk’s non-profit organization.
In conclusion, the incident involving the shooting at the ABC affiliate building in California has sparked a broader debate on free speech, media relations, and the consequences of public statements in the current political landscape.