Shooting at Airport in Florida Leaves Five Dead

Reports indicate that a 26-year-old man opened fire on passengers at Fort Lauderdale International Airport in Florida on Friday, killing five people and injuring eight others. The armed individual is currently in police custody. According to Reuters, a spokesperson for Senator Bill Nelson of Florida stated that the assailant is Esteban Santiago, who was carrying a military identification card. Reuters reports that, based on information from the U.S. Department of Defense, Santiago served in the National Guard in Puerto Rico and Alaska from 2007 to 2016 and was deployed to Iraq from 2010 to 2011. Chip LaMarca, a police official in Broward County, Florida, tweeted that Santiago entered Fort Lauderdale via a domestic flight. He had a weapon with him and went to the restroom after picking up his luggage to prepare his firearm. Police officials and eyewitnesses say that Santiago opened fire on passengers after exiting the restroom, and the shooting stopped when he ran out of bullets. Video footage from the scene shared on social media shows at least two victims near the luggage claim area covered in blood and shot in the head. According to Reuters, U.S. laws allow individuals to carry firearms in a locked box or suitcase to be checked in during air travel, but carrying ammunition onto an airplane is prohibited and must be checked in. Scott Israel, the Broward County Sheriff, stated that police apprehended the shooter without firing a shot. However, he noted that it is too early to discuss the assailant's motives. He added that, at this point, it appears Santiago acted alone and had no accomplices. Eyewitnesses told NBC News that the shooter did not say anything during the shooting. It seems he was armed with a 9mm weapon and dropped it on the ground after running out of ammunition. The Associated Press reports that a close relative of Esteban Santiago mentioned that he had experienced mental health issues after returning from Iraq.