A woman accused of opening fire on a Bakersfield television newsroom twice was arrested days later while allegedly driving back to the station with a loaded firearm, police said.
Thomashana Renee Zeigler, 46, was stopped Thursday night during a traffic enforcement operation as she headed toward the KBAK/KBFX news station, according to the Bakersfield Police Department.
Investigators later served search warrants that led to the seizure of additional guns and the discovery of more alleged threats directed at the station, police said.
Officers said they found a loaded .40-caliber handgun and another loaded magazine inside Zeigler’s vehicle.
Zeigler was arrested and booked into the Kern County Jail.
Her arrest followed an investigation into two shootings at the station, reported on October 9 and October 13. In each incident, someone fired multiple rounds into the newsroom.
Video from one attack showed a black vehicle stopping outside the station, followed by several muzzle flashes from the driver’s-side window.
Police said 10 rounds struck a conference room and an office during the first shooting. More gunfire hit the station several days later.
Several employees were inside the newsroom during the attacks, but no injuries were reported.
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Following the second shooting, investigators recovered nearly a dozen .40-caliber shell casings and found multiple bullet impacts on the building, police said.
Authorities credited surveillance video from nearby businesses, city cameras and automated license plate reader images with helping identify the suspected shooter.
“The coordinated efforts of the Robbery/Homicide Unit, RTIC, VCAT, and SEU, combined with the effective use of investigative technology, were instrumental in identifying and apprehending the suspect,” police said in a news release.
“The coordinated investigative and enforcement efforts resulted in Zeigler’s apprehension and prevented a potential additional shooting,” police said.
Sinclair Inc., the station’s owner, said it was “deeply relieved that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the incidents at our KBAK/KBFX studios,” according to ABC News 4.
“We are thankful that no one was injured and grateful to the Bakersfield Police Department for its tireless efforts in investigating these incidents and bringing a suspect into custody.”
Zeigler faces multiple charges, including carrying a loaded firearm and shooting at an occupied building.
Her bail was set at $220,000. She is scheduled to return to court on October 20.
