MIAMI // An Iraq war veteran is suspected of opening fire on Friday at Fort Lauderdale’s main airport, a major tourist hub in Florida, killing five people and injuring eight, as panicked travellers fled for safety.
Esteban Santiago, 26, was in custody and being questioned by the FBI in connection with the shooting that shut down the international airport that is a gateway to the Caribbean.
The incident occurred in the baggage claim area of Terminal 2, as passengers collecting their luggage were interrupted by the gunman, who drew a semi-automatic handgun on his victims.
Witness John Schlicher said he was picking up his first bag as he “heard the first shot. As I did, the person right next to me fell to the ground ... It was very surreal”.
The shooter “was holding a handgun. He was firing into the crowd. Everyone was standing there waiting for the luggage,” he said.
Video showed passengers running for safety.
There was no indication of a motive for the assault, in a country where gun violence is widespread.
Mr Santiago had travelled from Alaska to Fort Lauderdale, with a stopover in Minneapolis, Minnesota, said George Piro, the special agent in charge of Miami’s FBI field office.
“We’re looking at several investigative leads not only in Alaska but other states that we have determined that he’s either travelled to or has connections there,” Mr Piro said. He added that authorities were “looking at every angle, including the terrorism angle,” but that it would take time to determine the nature of the attack.
The suspect checked a gun inside his luggage, after declaring the weapon with airport authorities, then used it to take down his victims, CNN reported.
He was detained without police firing any shots, Broward County sheriff Scott Israel said.
In November, Mr Santiago had walked into the FBI’s Anchorage office exhibiting “erratic behaviour” that led agents to contact local police, who took him to a medical facility for a mental health evaluation, Mr Piro said.
CBS News reported that Mr Santiago claimed he was being forced to fight for ISIL and that the CIA was controlling his mind to make him watch ISIL videos.
Mr Santiago, a former member of the Puerto Rico and Alaska National Guard, served in Iraq from April 2010 to February 2011. He ended his service in August.
ABC News reported that Mr Santiago received a general discharge for unsatisfactory performance.
Mr Santiago was also the subject of a child pornography investigation several years ago, but no charges were brought, CBS said.
Mayor Barbara Sharief said the gunman “was a lone shooter, and we have no evidence at this time that he was acting with anyone else”.
Hours after the shooting, which occurred shortly before 1pm local time (10pm UAE time), many passengers still huddled inside the airport awaiting the all-clear.
“We’ve had dozens and dozens of busses transporting what we anticipate to be somewhere in the neighbourhood of 10,000 folks,” airport director Mark Gale said.
In addition to those killed and wounded, up to 40 people went to the hospital for various other injuries such as falling and sprains.
Mobile phone video footage broadcast by the Fox television affiliate showed one person lying bloodied on the floor, and several others on their knees.
President Barack Obama expressed “how heart-broken we are for the families who’ve been affected” during excerpts of an interview with ABC News.
Governor Rick Scott, who rushed to the airport to be briefed, said those responsible would be “held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
Mr Scott said he had contacted President-elect Donald Trump, who said that he was “monitoring the terrible situation in Florida.”
“Thoughts and prayers for all. Stay safe!” Trump tweeted.
*Agence France-Presse
