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‘Multiple people dead’ at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport

A GUNMAN opened fire inside the baggage claim area at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, killing five people and injuring as many as eight.

The shooter is now in custody.

Florida Senator Bill Nelson identified the shooter as Esteban Santiago.

“He had a military ID, we don’t know if it is current, but every time you get a bunch of people like at baggage claim or like outside of TSA (Transportation Security Administration) where you’re going to security or lines at the ticket counter, it’s a soft target,” Nelson told CNN.

People take cover behind cars outside of Terminal 2. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

People take cover behind cars outside of Terminal 2. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFPSource:AFP

The gunman had arrived on a flight with a checked gun in his bag, Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca said on Twitter.

The shooter claimed his bag and went to the bathroom to load the gun before coming out and firing, LaMarca said.

The incident happened around 1:15pm (5:15am AEDT).

First responders secure the area outside the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

First responders secure the area outside the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFPSource:AFP

Sheriff Scott Israel said the scene was “fluid and active” although the shooter had been arrested.

Despite reports of gunshots being heard at Terminal 1, Sheriff Israel said there was no confirmation of any gunshots except downstairs at Terminal 2 where the shooting took place.

“At this point it looks like he acted alone,” he said.

Passengers wait on the tarmac behind a baggage transport vehicle. Picture: David Santiago/El Nuevo Herald via AP

Passengers wait on the tarmac behind a baggage transport vehicle. Picture: David Santiago/El Nuevo Herald via APSource:AP

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT SUSPECT

The shooter was identified as Esteban Santiago, 26, and had a US military identification, according to a spokesman for US Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, who spoke with officials at the Transportation Security Administration.

Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead said Esteban received a general discharge from the Alaska Army National Guard last year for unsatisfactory performance.

Olmstead said that he joined the Guard in November 2014.

Puerto Rico National Guard spokesman Maj. Paul Dahlen said that Santiago was deployed to Iraq in 2010 and spent a year there with the 130th Engineer Battalion, the 1013th engineer company out of Aguadilla.

Olmstead also said that Santiago had served in the Army Reserves prior to joining the Alaska Army National Guard.

His brother Bryan told NBC that he had been receiving pschological treatment in Alaska, where he had been living.

Esteban had been working as a security guard in Alaska where he also had a girlfriend and child.

“He was pro-America,” Bryan told NBC.

He described his brother as “a regular person, spiritual, a good person” but he had been “fighting with a lot of people” during his time in Alaska.

The shooter, who wore a Star Wars T-shirt, said nothing as he fired, witnesses told MSNBC.

He appeared to use a 9mm handgun, which he tossed aside upon running out of ammunition, surrendering to police, MSNBC reported.

The shooter was arrested without incident by a Broward Sherrif Deputy. He is uninjured.

The motive for the attack is not yet known.

If it becomes apparent the incident was terrorist related, the investigation will be turned over to the FBI.

Santiago had travelled from Anchorage, Alaska, and had transited through Minneapolis.

Florida airport shooting



John Schilcher told Fox News the person next to him fell to the ground. He says other people started falling, and he then dropped to the ground with his wife and mother-in-law. Schilcher says “the firing just went on and on.” He says the shooter emptied his weapon and reloaded during an eerily quiet lull in the gunfire. Schilcher says he didn’t assume it was safe until he saw a police officer standing over him at the Fort Lauderdale international airport. He says he remained on the ground and was told not to move as authorities investigated unconfirmed reports of a second shooting.

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Source: News Corp Australia Network:

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