Airport Shooting Sends Travelers into Panic
On January 6, 2017 at approximately 12:55 p.m. shots rang through the baggage claim in terminal 2 of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, leaving five dead, eight injured, and hundreds in terror.
The assailant, 26-year-old Esteban Santiago, boarded a plane from Anchorage to Minneapolis and then to Fort Lauderdale. Along with his one checked bag, he also legally checked in a 9millimeter handgun.
According to CBS Miami it is legal for fliers to check a gun and ammunition through the TSA while flying “as long as the firearms are unloaded, secured in a lock box and not brought on-board the plane as a carry-on. They must be declared to the airline at check-in.”
Santiago followed all protocols and once he landed in Fort Lauderdale he took the box into the bathroom, unlocked it, loaded ammunition into the handgun, and proceeded to the second terminal (the baggage claim for Air Canada and Delta Air Lines). He then fired at random individuals, a reported three magazines of bullets, until he ran out.
When the police responded to the scene he was found on the ground in the “spread eagle” position and taken immediately into custody.
Together the FBI and the local police have questioned Santiago about his motives. They are still unknown.
Sources have revealed that Santiago is a veteran of the National Guard. He served for nine years in the Puerto Rico and Anchorage National Guards. He also served one tour in Iraq.
While serving he was listed as a combat engineer. At the rank of E3, or Private First Class, he was given a general discharge (one lower than honorable discharge) “under honorable conditions” according to ABC News. This discharge, which happened in August, was supposedly for unsatisfactory performance.
The Associated Press has revealed, “the Pentagon said he went AWOL several times as a specialist during a stint with the Alaska National Guard and was demoted to private first class.”
Before his discharge Daily Mail reports that he was “charged with fourth degree assault and damage of property in January 2016, stemming from a domestic violence incident.”
Since his discharge he has worked as security for a company in Anchorage by the name of Signal 88.
Although his family has claimed he was greatly affected by his tour in Iraq, his aunt, Maria Luisa Ruiz, claims, “Like a month ago, it was like he lost his mind. He said he saw things.” In an interview with CNN Ruiz says that Santiago talked to her “about the destruction he witnessed. About the killing of children. Visions that haunted him.”
While being interviewed by Sun-Sentinel the spokesman for the Puerto Rico National Guard, Major Paul Dahlen, mentioned, “Near the end of Santiago’s tour in Iraq, two soldiers in his unit were killed by a roadside bomb in Taji. Their deaths were a blow to the tight-knit 1013th Engineer Company of about 100 men.”
In November 2016 ABC News reports that Santiago “showed up to the FBI’s field office in Anchorage, where he espoused conspiracy theories, including one claim the U.S. government was trying to force him to watch ISIS videos.” When interviewed by CNN, Anchorage Police Chief Chris Tolley described the situation and added that Santiago had brought a loaded pistol with him, but left it with his newborn son in his vehicle.
After being interviewed by the FBI he was found to be “incoherent at times.” Investigators then called the local police to have him referred for a mental health evaluation. The police at that point took away his gun and asked for Santiago’s girlfriend to pick up the child.
Though FBI agent George Piro explained that Santiago’s “erratic behavior concerned FBI agents,” his gun was later given back in December. This gun, in information attained by CNN, is believed to be the one used in the shooting.
Santiago’s brother, Bryan Santiago, believes that Santiago was not given the treatment he needed. In an interview with CNN he claims that Santiago asked for help “and they did nothing. They had him hospitalized for four days, and then they let him go. How are you going to let someone leave a psychological center after four days when he is saying that he is hearing voices?” In this interview Bryan explains that he believes “the shooting rampage resulted from mental issues that appeared after Iraq.”
During the process of safely clearing people from the airport, several press conferences were held—one of which with Florida’s governor, Rick Scott. He explained, “Whoever is responsible will be held accountable to the full extent of the law. The state of Florida, the citizens of Florida, [and] law enforcement in this state will not tolerate evil acts.”
Since the incident was reported many airports are increasing security and police presence throughout the country. There have not been any other full closures of airports besides Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, which was lifted the next day.
Currently investigators are looking into Santiago’s records and belongings to determine his motive, as well as to find out if he is suffering with some form of PTSD. Terrorism is still not ruled out as a possibility.
He is presently being charged with “an act of violence at an international airport resulting in death — which carries a maximum punishment of the death penalty — and weapons charges,” according to CBC News.