*UPDATE 5 p.m. ET: The suspect in custody has been identified as 26-year-old Esteban Santiago, born March 16, 1990, in New Jersey. According to reports, Santiago left Anchorage, Alaska on a Delta flight Thursday night (Jan 5), changed planes in Minneapolis early this morning and caught an 8:25 a.m. ET flight to Fort Lauderdale. He allegedly used a 9 mm handgun retrieved from his checked bag at baggage claim. He loaded the gun in the rest room before emerging and opening fire. He reportedly used three magazines while aiming at passengers who were waiting for their bags. Many of the wounded were shot in the head. Witnesses said he remained quiet as he fired. After his third and final clip was used, witnesses said he dropped onto his stomach on the floor, spread out his arms and legs and waited to be arrested. Santiago lived in Anchorage from 2014 to 2016 and was a member of the National Guard. He has a record of petty crimes, including non-payment of rent, domestic violence and property damage. Witnesses have said that Santiago got into an altercation on the plane that could have led to the shooting. Authorities have found no sign of terrorism. Relatives of Santiago are telling NBC News that he had some mental health problems. His aunt and uncle in NJ say he served in the U.S. Army Reserves in Iraq and was “seeking mental health” treatment in Alaska. Family members confirm that the below photo is of Esteban Santiago.
*UPDATE 2:40 p.m. ET: People are currently running across the runway and taking cover at Terminal One in a second flurry of panic and police activity at the airport. Officers in tactical gear are running up the outside stairwell of a parking garage, suggesting there may be a second suspect. Scroll down to watch live coverage from NBC News.
————-
Five people were killed and at least 8 wounded in a Friday afternoon shooting at the Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport in Florida.
The Broward County Sheriff’s office confirmed the number of victims and tweeted that eight people were taken to the hospital with injuries. The Fort Lauderdale Police said one suspect is in custody.
According to NBC News, the suspect is a 26-year-old American citizen born in New Jersey. So far, a motive has not been reported.
Shots first rang out in Terminal 2 in the baggage claim area outside the TSA checkpoint. People in the airport were ushered onto the tarmac and paramedics are currently at the scene.
Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief told CNN that the incident was the result of a lone shooter. “We have no evidence at this time that he was acting with anyone else. He is currently in custody and we’re investigating,” she said.
Watch live coverage from NBC News below:
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!
