Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airporthas been shutdown after a shooting that left five people dead.
Broward Sheriff’s deputies are working with the FBI, trying to figure a motive for the shooting.
Broward Commissioner Chip LaMarca told CBS4 the shooter was a passenger on a Canadian flight with a checked gun. He says the shooter claimed his bag at the baggage claim area then took the gun from his bag before going into a bathroom and loading his weapon. He then reportedly came out of the bathroom and began shooting people in the baggage claim area.
A law enforcement source identifies the accused shooter as Esteban Santiago Ruiz, 26, of New Jersey. The source said he had an active military ID for the U.S. Army. Sources say he had a concealed weapons permit on him. The source added he had a minor criminal history.
Law Enforcement sources told CBSNews that in Nov. 2016, he walked into an FBI office in Anchorage, AK claiming he was being forced to fight for ISIS but was sent to a psychiatric hospital after Anchorage police were called. In 2011 or 2012, he was investigated for child porn. Three weapons and a computer were seized but there was not enough evidence to prosecute.
Air Canada took to Twitter to deny they had the accused gunman on the flight saying, “We confirm we have no record of a passenger by the name Esteban Santiago, or checked guns, on any of our flights to Fort Lauderdale.”
The gunman was reportedly wearing ‘Star Wars’ shirt at the time of the shooting.
Deputies say one suspect is in custody but have not said if it is Ruiz.
“The subject is being interviewed by a team of FBI agents and Broward Sheriff’s deputies,” said Sheriff Scott Israel.
Early indications show that the FBI isn’t seeing links to terrorism, according to CBS News’ Kris Van Cleave.
A semi-automatic handgun was seen on the floor of the airport. CBS News was told it was the weapon used by the shooter.
Just before 3 p.m., Broward Sheriff’s deputies were seen at the airport, guns drawn, as travelers on the tarmac were sporadically running around away from a certain area. There were reports of more shots fired at another part of the airport. People were seen huddling behind cars near the airport’s Hibiscus Garage. Deputies were seen landing their chopper on top of one of the airport garages.
Passengers coming off a United flight told CBS4’s Ted Scouten they heard gunfire in Terminal 1. That has not been confirmed since authorities were saying the shooting happened at Terminal 2.
Despite the chaos, Sheriff Israel said, “it seems like somebody got injured evacuating, nothing to do with any gunshots..no law enforcement have confirmed that there were any other shots other than in Terminal 2.”
Authorities said someone opened fire around 1 p.m. in the baggage claim area of Terminal 2.
“People yelling, people screaming, everyone in a big pack just running as far as possible away from the shots. Our bus driver wasn’t sure what was going on, he was asking, ‘What’s happening? What’s going on?’ But no one was answering because everyone was in a rush to get safe,” said a traveler named Ben who was at the airport grabbing a shuttle when the shooting happened.
In total, 13 people were shot – five victims have died while eight remain in the hospital, according to deputies. They say they are not releasing information on those killed in the shooting until they identify them and notify next of kin.
All terminals at the airport were evacuated. No flights are arriving or departing from the airport as law enforcement check all terminals.
“We’re just going to go step by step methodically through the building before we reopen the airport,” said an airport spokesman.
Florida Governor Rick Scott says he is on his way to the airport to get briefed by law enforcement.
President Barack Obama has been briefed on the incident. The president is set to travel to the Jacksonville area on Saturday. He has no public events planned and the reason for the trip has not been released.
President-elect Donald Trump also offered ‘thoughts and prayers’ for those affected in the shooting.
The County has established a toll-free number for passengers and family members to call (866) 435-9355. Deputies are asking people not to call 9-1-1 on this matter.
The during and after the shooting played out on social media with those in the area sharing what they were seeing.
Source: CBS Miami
