The latest reports indicate that there are five dead and eight wounded in shooting attack at the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport. The airport tweeted that the shooting took place at the Terminal 2 baggage claim area in the lower level.
The shooter was arrested with no shots fired. Multiple law enforcement sources identified the suspect as New Jersey-born Esteban Santiago, 26, and said he had an Alaska National Guard military ID on him at the time of his capture. He served as an Engineer on active duty, served the Puerto Rico National guard and the Alaska National Guard. Santiago deployed to Iraq from 2010 to 2011 and was discharged from the HHC, 297 Cavalry, Alaska National Guard for AWOL in 2016.
Law enforcement officials believe the shooter checked a handgun in his luggage. After he arrived on a flight from Canada, he picked up his bag at baggage claim, went to the bathroom to load the gun and began firing. Baggage Claim is outside the airport security area and open to the general public.
thearmsguide believes that the handgun involved was a Walther PPS M1 in .40 caliber.
TSA currently allows unloaded firearms and ammunition to be placed in a locked container in checked bags. Security procedures prevent these guns being accessed by passengers in the secure areas of the air port. I expect TSA to propose changes in the near future.
All flights were grounded and additional areas of the airport were being evacuated. Law enforcement is working to clear every area of the airport before reopening.
