Fort Lauderdale airport shooting: Five people shot dead by Florida gunman

**WRATH OF BOD** · 6th January 2017

this is going on now
live here http://www.fox13news.com/news/florid...27503230-story
Five people have been shot dead by a lone gunman at Fort Lauderdale airport in Florida, say officials.
It happened at the baggage claim area in Terminal 2, just before 1300 local time (1800 GMT), the airport confirmed.
There were five people dead and one person in custody, said Broward Sheriff's office. A second man was led away by police some time after.
Hundreds of people were standing on the tarmac as dozens of police cars and ambulances rushed to the scene.
Thirteen people have been injured and were taken to local hospitals, Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief told US media.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38535699

**jw_2000_uk** · 6th January 2017

Correct me if im wrong.

But the killer flew to florida, with the gun in his bag.

Do they not check bags? Or are they allowed to travel with firearms interstates?

**WRATH OF BOD** · 7th January 2017

that is not confirmed, but if its true then wtf, i thought the gun law was no on planes, all are scanned for metal objects

**Raptor** · 7th January 2017

A suspect is in custody in Florida after a man opened fire at Fort Lauderdale airport, killing five people and wounding eight others.
The suspect is believed to be 26-year-old Esteban Santiago, an Iraq war veteran.
The motive is under investigation, but officials said he probably acted alone.
US media said the man might have been mentally disturbed. He reportedly said the government was controlling his mind and made him watch jihadist videos.
The attacker opened fire at the baggage claim area of Terminal 2 as passengers were collecting their luggage. Witnesses said he walked along the carousals and did not say anything as he shot people as they tried to run or hide.
He surrendered to police when he ran out of ammunition, witnesses added.

The man, who was wearing a Star Wars T-shirt, had travelled from Alaska, officials said, and checked in an unloaded gun and ammunition with his luggage. He loaded the weapon in the bathroom after landing and collecting his bag.
He was arrested unharmed, Sheriff Scott Israel said. "At this point, it looks like he acted alone," he said.
The suspect was in possession of a military ID which suggested he was a former member of the Puerto Rico and Alaska National Guard. He served in Iraq from April 2010 to February 2011, and ended his service in August 2016, according to the Pentagon.
US media reported that he received a general discharge from the Alaska National Guard for unsatisfactory performance.
An unnamed official told AP news agency that he walked into the FBI office in his hometown of Anchorage, Alaska, in November to say that the US government was controlling his mind and making him watch videos from so-called Islamic State (IS).
Agents questioned him and called police, who took him for a mental health evaluation, AP added. The official quoted said Mr Santiago did not appear intent on hurting anyone.
His brother said he had been receiving psychological treatment recently.
Flying with firearms is legal in the US as long as the guns are kept in a locked, hard-sided container as checked baggage only, under rules of the Transport Security Administration (TSA). Ammunition is allowed only in checked luggage.
The attack was the latest in a series of mass shootings in the US in recent years, carried out by people who said they were inspired by jihadist groups, loners or mentally disturbed, who had easy access to weapons under US gun laws.
Last year, in the worst shooting in recent US history, a man, apparently inspired by IS, killed 49 people at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

Are you in the affected area? Did you witness the events? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
If you are willing to speak further to a BBC journalist, please include a contact telephone number.
Email your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, upload them here, tweet them to @BBC_HaveYourSay or text 61124. If you are outside the UK, send them to the international number +44 7624 800 100 or WhatsApp us on +44 7525 900971.
Read our terms and conditions.
Let's block ads! (Why?)

BBC News

**Ashley** · 7th January 2017

Just seen the news, his gun was in checked luggage, he had passed security and gone to the toilets and removed his gun.

**davey52** · 7th January 2017

'26-year-old Esteban Santiago, an Iraq war veteran.' wouldn't that make him 13 at the time of the war ?

**piggzy** · 7th January 2017

According to Sky News :

Flying with guns in the US is legal as long as they are kept in a locked hard-sided container as checked baggage only, under TSA rules. Ammunition is not allowed in cabin baggage but is allowed in checked baggage.

**TheQuagmire** · 7th January 2017

I never bothered to bring weapons with me because it was a huge hassle, and most importantly I wouldn't want it documented that I did travel with a checked firearm. My shock is that they allow ammunition with the firearm.. that's absolutely insane.