Pictured: Florida 'air rage' gunman, 26, who 'argued with passengers' before taking gun from luggage and executing five in baggage hall - as it's revealed he was treated at mental hospital after telling FBI he was forced to fight for ISIS
- Five people dead and eight injured after gunman opened fire in Florida's Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport
- The gunman was taken into custody and identified as 26-year-old Iraq army veteran Esteban Santiago
- Santiago flew into the Florida airport from Anchorage, Alaska and had checked his gun for the flight
He loaded his gun in the bathroom after landing and was silent as he shot dead victims in baggage claim area
Santiago had been living in Anchorage, Alaska for two years with his girlfriend and their newborn baby
He reportedly had a history of mental health problems and family say he returned from Iraq acting strangely
Sources say he walked into an FBI office in Alaska last year claiming he was being forced to fight for ISIS
Santiago was pictured previously giving a one-fingered salute similar to one used by Islamic State jihadists
He was discharged from the National Army Guard for unsatisfactory performance in August last year
s
Police are investigating whether the lone shooter who opened fire at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport in Florida was mentally disturbed or if he had any links to ISIS after he executed five people in the baggage claim hall with a gun he had checked in his luggage.
Gunman Esteban Santiago - an Iraq war veteran - was taken into custody after he opened fire in the lower level baggage claim area in Terminal 2 on Friday about 1pm.
Santiago flew into the airport from Anchorage, Alaska (with a layover in Minneapolis, St. Paul) on Delta flight 2182 - a firearm was his only piece of checked luggage.
The 26-year-old, who was dressed in a Star Wars t-shirt, claimed his bag, went to the bathroom to load his handgun and then started shooting people dead.
Among the first of the victims to be named is Terry Andres - a 62-year-old grandfather who was at the airport with his wife to go on a vacation.
Santiago had a history of mental problems, according to NBC News.
Authorities said Santiago walked into an FBI office in Anchorage in November last year claiming the government was trying to control his mind and he was being forced to watch videos for ISIS, CBS reports. After that incident, Santiago started getting treatment for his mental health issues. FBI officials said they then closed their assessment of him.
He was previously pictured giving a one-fingered salute, which is commonly used by Islamic State jihadists often before they embark on a suicide bombing.
Santiago was also contacted by the FBI after an employer back in Alaska raised concerns about certain things he had said, according to ABC News.
Scroll down for video
Esteban Santiago, 26 (pictured left giving a one-fingered salute similar to ISIS jihadists), has been identified as the gunman in the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood airport shooting. He is said to have a girlfriend and child (right) back in Alaska
Santiago was an Iraq veteran having served in the country for one year before being honorably discharged in August last year. He flew into Florida from Alaska on Friday, after transferring at Minneapolis-St. Paul
Santiago served from 2007 to 2016 in the Puerto Rico National Guard and Alaska National Guard including a deployment to Iraq from 2010 to 2011.
A private first class and combat engineer, he received half a dozen medals before receiving a general discharge for unsatisfactory performance in August last year.
His aunt Maria Ruiz told NorthJersey.com that Santiago had returned from Iraq acting strangely but had seemed happy after the birth of his child in September last year.
But she said something happened to him about a month ago and he was hospitalized for two weeks. She did not have details of his condition.
'Like a month ago, it was like he lost his mind. He said he saw things,' she said.
Santiago's brother Bryan Santiago said he could have suffered a 'flashback' from his time in Iraq, despite never being diagnosed with PTSD, NBC reports.
The motive for the shooting is still not known, but Florida Senator Marco Rubio told CNN that Santiago may have gotten into an altercation on his flight earlier that morning.
'I know that was mentioned as a potential cause and they wanted to kind of look into that a little further and get to that point,' Rubio said.
Santiago's brother said he had been fighting with people back in Alaska, including his girlfriend who he was having relationship issues with.
He said Santiago, who was 'was pro-America', has not spoken to his family for several weeks, which was unusual.
The gunman was born in New Jersey but moved to Puerto Rico where his mother and brother still live. He came back to Puerto Rico after serving in Iraq, before moving to Alaska. He lived there from 2014 to 2016 and his girlfriend and child are still there. His most recent address was in Naples, Florida.
Among the first of the victims to be named is Terry Andres (pictured) - a 62-year-old grandfather who was at the airport with his wife to go on a vacation
Law enforcement officers examined the crime scene inside the baggage hall on Friday night
+45
He loaded his gun in the bathroom after landing and was silent as he shot dead victims in baggage claim area
Santiago had been living in Anchorage, Alaska for two years with his girlfriend and their newborn baby
He reportedly had a history of mental health problems and family say he returned from Iraq acting strangely
Sources say he walked into an FBI office in Alaska last year claiming he was being forced to fight for ISIS
Santiago was pictured previously giving a one-fingered salute similar to one used by Islamic State jihadists
He was discharged from the National Army Guard for unsatisfactory performance in August last year
Police are investigating whether the lone shooter who opened fire at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport in Florida was mentally disturbed or if he had any links to ISIS after he executed five people in the baggage claim hall with a gun he had checked in his luggage.
Gunman Esteban Santiago - an Iraq war veteran - was taken into custody after he opened fire in the lower level baggage claim area in Terminal 2 on Friday about 1pm.
Santiago flew into the airport from Anchorage, Alaska (with a layover in Minneapolis, St. Paul) on Delta flight 2182 - a firearm was his only piece of checked luggage.
The 26-year-old, who was dressed in a Star Wars t-shirt, claimed his bag, went to the bathroom to load his handgun and then started shooting people dead.
Among the first of the victims to be named is Terry Andres - a 62-year-old grandfather who was at the airport with his wife to go on a vacation.
Santiago had a history of mental problems, according to NBC News.
Authorities said Santiago walked into an FBI office in Anchorage in November last year claiming the government was trying to control his mind and he was being forced to watch videos for ISIS, CBS reports. After that incident, Santiago started getting treatment for his mental health issues. FBI officials said they then closed their assessment of him.
He was previously pictured giving a one-fingered salute, which is commonly used by Islamic State jihadists often before they embark on a suicide bombing.
Santiago was also contacted by the FBI after an employer back in Alaska raised concerns about certain things he had said, according to ABC News.
Scroll down for video
Esteban Santiago, 26 (pictured left giving a one-fingered salute similar to ISIS jihadists), has been identified as the gunman in the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood airport shooting. He is said to have a girlfriend and child (right) back in Alaska
Santiago was an Iraq veteran having served in the country for one year before being honorably discharged in August last year. He flew into Florida from Alaska on Friday, after transferring at Minneapolis-St. Paul
Santiago served from 2007 to 2016 in the Puerto Rico National Guard and Alaska National Guard including a deployment to Iraq from 2010 to 2011.
A private first class and combat engineer, he received half a dozen medals before receiving a general discharge for unsatisfactory performance in August last year.
His aunt Maria Ruiz told NorthJersey.com that Santiago had returned from Iraq acting strangely but had seemed happy after the birth of his child in September last year.
But she said something happened to him about a month ago and he was hospitalized for two weeks. She did not have details of his condition.
'Like a month ago, it was like he lost his mind. He said he saw things,' she said.
Santiago's brother Bryan Santiago said he could have suffered a 'flashback' from his time in Iraq, despite never being diagnosed with PTSD, NBC reports.
The motive for the shooting is still not known, but Florida Senator Marco Rubio told CNN that Santiago may have gotten into an altercation on his flight earlier that morning.
'I know that was mentioned as a potential cause and they wanted to kind of look into that a little further and get to that point,' Rubio said.
Santiago's brother said he had been fighting with people back in Alaska, including his girlfriend who he was having relationship issues with.
He said Santiago, who was 'was pro-America', has not spoken to his family for several weeks, which was unusual.
The gunman was born in New Jersey but moved to Puerto Rico where his mother and brother still live. He came back to Puerto Rico after serving in Iraq, before moving to Alaska. He lived there from 2014 to 2016 and his girlfriend and child are still there. His most recent address was in Naples, Florida.
Among the first of the victims to be named is Terry Andres (pictured) - a 62-year-old grandfather who was at the airport with his wife to go on a vacation
Law enforcement officers examined the crime scene inside the baggage hall on Friday night
+45
+45
A picture shared on social media allegedly showed one of the people who was shot by a gunman
A shooting victim is taken into Broward Health Trauma Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
A shooting victim is seen in the back of an ambulance after arriving at the Broward Health Trauma Center on Friday
People were seen on the floor trying to comfort loved ones (left), while others appeared to be shielding others (right)
This picture shows what may be the weapon that was used by the gunman in the shooting on Friday
A picture shared on social media allegedly showed one of the people who was shot by a gunman
A shooting victim is taken into Broward Health Trauma Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
A shooting victim is seen in the back of an ambulance after arriving at the Broward Health Trauma Center on Friday
People were seen on the floor trying to comfort loved ones (left), while others appeared to be shielding others (right)
This picture shows what may be the weapon that was used by the gunman in the shooting on Friday
more videos
Other details about the shooter are now being released.
Court records in that state show he had a minor criminal record for traffic violations. He was also evicted by his landlord for failing to pay rent in February 2015.
Santiago was charged with fourth-degree assault and damage of property in January 2016, stemming from a domestic violence incident.
Other details about the shooter are now being released.
Court records in that state show he had a minor criminal record for traffic violations. He was also evicted by his landlord for failing to pay rent in February 2015.
Santiago was charged with fourth-degree assault and damage of property in January 2016, stemming from a domestic violence incident.
HOW CAN YOU CARRY A GUN IN LUGGAGE?
In March, Santiago settled the charges by agreeing to complete unknown requirements demanded by prosecutors in exchange for dismissing the case.
About 90 minutes after the shooting, chaos broke out again when police officers were seen rushing into the parking garage with their guns drawn while bystanders sought shelter behind vehicles.
But the Broward County Sheriff said the only shooting that happened was in Terminal 2 and that he currently believes only one gunman was involved.
A witness told NBC Miami that the shooter was silent and didn't appear to be targeting anyone in particular - 'popping off bullets at random'.
John Schlicher, who told MSNBC he saw the attack, described the shooter as a 'slender man' who was 'directly firing at us' while passengers waited for their bags to come off the carousel.
In another interview with Fox News, Schlicher said that the shooter was aiming at people's heads.
'All the people seemed to be shot in the head,' Schlicher said. 'He was shooting people who were down on the ground too.'
The shooter reloaded once for a second burst of shooting, Schlicher said, but he could not say how many bullets were fired.
His aunt Maria Ruiz, who lives in New Jersey, said that Santiago had returned from Iraq acting strangely but had seemed happy after the birth of his child last year
Authorities investigate the home of Maria Luisa Ruiz in Union City, New Jersey. Ruiz is the aunt of the Esteban Santiago, the main suspect in the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Shooting on Friday
Santiago had been living in this apartment complex in Anchorage, Alaska with his girlfriend and their newborn baby
Terrified people were seen running across the tarmac about 2:30pm - more than an hour after the shooting was reported
An armed police officer with his handgun drawn is seen helping a woman evacuate during the chaos
People leave a garage area with their hands up in the air outside the airport after the shooting on Friday
People take cover outside Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Friday, Jan. 6
Police assist people seeking cover outside of Terminal 2 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Police forced bystanders to take cover and lay low outside the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport
People are seen desperately running across the tarmac after the shooting earlier in the afternoon
Law enforcement personnel arrive in an armored car at the airport after the deadly shooting that saw five killed
People stand on the tarmac at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
People wait at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport after a shooting took place near the baggage claim
Police question people who are evacuating from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport near the tarmac
Shocking video has emerged from inside the terminal where a gunman opened fire on Friday
Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel spoke to the media about 3:30pm and provided more details on the incident
In March, Santiago settled the charges by agreeing to complete unknown requirements demanded by prosecutors in exchange for dismissing the case.
About 90 minutes after the shooting, chaos broke out again when police officers were seen rushing into the parking garage with their guns drawn while bystanders sought shelter behind vehicles.
But the Broward County Sheriff said the only shooting that happened was in Terminal 2 and that he currently believes only one gunman was involved.
A witness told NBC Miami that the shooter was silent and didn't appear to be targeting anyone in particular - 'popping off bullets at random'.
John Schlicher, who told MSNBC he saw the attack, described the shooter as a 'slender man' who was 'directly firing at us' while passengers waited for their bags to come off the carousel.
In another interview with Fox News, Schlicher said that the shooter was aiming at people's heads.
'All the people seemed to be shot in the head,' Schlicher said. 'He was shooting people who were down on the ground too.'
The shooter reloaded once for a second burst of shooting, Schlicher said, but he could not say how many bullets were fired.
His aunt Maria Ruiz, who lives in New Jersey, said that Santiago had returned from Iraq acting strangely but had seemed happy after the birth of his child last year
Authorities investigate the home of Maria Luisa Ruiz in Union City, New Jersey. Ruiz is the aunt of the Esteban Santiago, the main suspect in the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Shooting on Friday
Santiago had been living in this apartment complex in Anchorage, Alaska with his girlfriend and their newborn baby
Terrified people were seen running across the tarmac about 2:30pm - more than an hour after the shooting was reported
An armed police officer with his handgun drawn is seen helping a woman evacuate during the chaos
People leave a garage area with their hands up in the air outside the airport after the shooting on Friday
People take cover outside Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Friday, Jan. 6
Police assist people seeking cover outside of Terminal 2 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Police forced bystanders to take cover and lay low outside the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport
People are seen desperately running across the tarmac after the shooting earlier in the afternoon
Law enforcement personnel arrive in an armored car at the airport after the deadly shooting that saw five killed
People stand on the tarmac at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
People wait at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport after a shooting took place near the baggage claim
Police question people who are evacuating from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport near the tarmac
Shocking video has emerged from inside the terminal where a gunman opened fire on Friday
Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel spoke to the media about 3:30pm and provided more details on the incident
more videos
Mark Lea, a 53-year-old financial adviser from Minneapolis, says he was in baggage claim when the shooting started.
'I was dodging bullets and trying to help people get out of the way,' Lea said.
'At first we thought it was firecrackers,' he said. 'Everyone started screaming and running. The shooter made his way down through baggage claim. He had what looked like a 9mm and emptied his entire clip. People were trying to run.'
Mark Lea, a 53-year-old financial adviser from Minneapolis, says he was in baggage claim when the shooting started.
'I was dodging bullets and trying to help people get out of the way,' Lea said.
'At first we thought it was firecrackers,' he said. 'Everyone started screaming and running. The shooter made his way down through baggage claim. He had what looked like a 9mm and emptied his entire clip. People were trying to run.'
TIMELINE OF THE SHOOTING
Ari Fleischer, a former White House spokesman who was at the scene, tweeted: 'I'm at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. Shots have been fired. Everyone is running.'
Cellphone video footage broadcast by local Fox television affiliate Channel 7 showed one person lying bloodied on the floor, and several others on their knees.
A passenger named as Peter Cruise said he believed that travelers on his plane were among the victims.
He said he and his family 'were walking up the ramp and just passed the checking gate when all a sudden everybody started running.'
'I grabbed the kids and took off running down the ramp. Told the flight attendant to let us off the tarmac, we ran to hide behind some luggage carts.'
Video from the airport Friday afternoon showed hundreds of passengers corralled together on the tarmac with emergency vehicles parked outside the terminal with lights flashing.
Governor Rick Scott rushed to the airport to be briefed on the shooting, as dozens of police and emergency vehicles converged on the scene.
President-elect Donald Trump said he had spoken with Scott, and was 'monitoring the terrible situation in Florida.'
'Thoughts and prayers for all. Stay safe!' he tweeted.
President Barack Obama has also been briefed on the developing situation.
The Florida attack was the latest in a series of mass shootings that have plagued the United States in recent years, some inspired by militants with an extreme view of Islam, others who are loners or mentally disturbed who have easy access to weapons under U.S. gun laws.
Jesse Davis, chief of police at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, said Santiago didn't call attention to himself and "as far as we can tell" traveled alone from Alaska to Florida.
He said that a firearm was his only piece of checked luggage.
Authorities are trying to track Santiago's movements through Alaska's largest commercial airport using video footage.
Davis noted that it's not usual for travelers at the Alaska airport to check firearms because many people hunt.
Donald Trump tweeted that he was monitoring the situation at the airport about an hour after it happened
People take cover at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport after a gunman killed 5 people and injured many more
Police assist a woman seeking cover outside Terminal 2 at the Florida airport on Friday
Two heavily-armed law enforcement officials are seen standing outside the garage at the airport. There had been reports of a potential second incident
Law enforcement personnel stand near the airport on Friday
A group of people are seen walking out of a parking garage with their hands in the air after the shooting
A law enforcement helicopter is seen flying over a garage at the airport after it was put into lockdown
People take cover outside Terminal 2 of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International. One woman is openly weeping as she hides behind the barrier
An official is seen directing people who were running on the tarmac in Florida on Friday afternoon
Police evacuate a civilian from an area at Fort Lauderdale Airport about 3pm on Friday after the shooting
Footage showed police officers in a stairwell as the airport remained a crime scene into the afternoon
Photo courtesy of Taylor Elenburg shows passengers gathering on the tarmac of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport in Florida after a gunman opened fire
Travelers and airport workers are evacuated out of the terminal after airport shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida
A heavily armored vehicle is seen heading to the the airport after the shooting
An aerial view taken on April 20, 2016 shows the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport in Florida, where a gunman opened fire on Friday
People who were evacuated onto the tarmac were put onto buses and moved. The airport has since been shut down
Ari Fleischer, a former White House spokesman who was at the scene, tweeted: 'I'm at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. Shots have been fired. Everyone is running.'
Cellphone video footage broadcast by local Fox television affiliate Channel 7 showed one person lying bloodied on the floor, and several others on their knees.
A passenger named as Peter Cruise said he believed that travelers on his plane were among the victims.
He said he and his family 'were walking up the ramp and just passed the checking gate when all a sudden everybody started running.'
'I grabbed the kids and took off running down the ramp. Told the flight attendant to let us off the tarmac, we ran to hide behind some luggage carts.'
Video from the airport Friday afternoon showed hundreds of passengers corralled together on the tarmac with emergency vehicles parked outside the terminal with lights flashing.
Governor Rick Scott rushed to the airport to be briefed on the shooting, as dozens of police and emergency vehicles converged on the scene.
President-elect Donald Trump said he had spoken with Scott, and was 'monitoring the terrible situation in Florida.'
'Thoughts and prayers for all. Stay safe!' he tweeted.
President Barack Obama has also been briefed on the developing situation.
The Florida attack was the latest in a series of mass shootings that have plagued the United States in recent years, some inspired by militants with an extreme view of Islam, others who are loners or mentally disturbed who have easy access to weapons under U.S. gun laws.
Jesse Davis, chief of police at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, said Santiago didn't call attention to himself and "as far as we can tell" traveled alone from Alaska to Florida.
He said that a firearm was his only piece of checked luggage.
Authorities are trying to track Santiago's movements through Alaska's largest commercial airport using video footage.
Davis noted that it's not usual for travelers at the Alaska airport to check firearms because many people hunt.
Donald Trump tweeted that he was monitoring the situation at the airport about an hour after it happened
People take cover at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport after a gunman killed 5 people and injured many more
Police assist a woman seeking cover outside Terminal 2 at the Florida airport on Friday
Two heavily-armed law enforcement officials are seen standing outside the garage at the airport. There had been reports of a potential second incident
Law enforcement personnel stand near the airport on Friday
A group of people are seen walking out of a parking garage with their hands in the air after the shooting
A law enforcement helicopter is seen flying over a garage at the airport after it was put into lockdown
People take cover outside Terminal 2 of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International. One woman is openly weeping as she hides behind the barrier
An official is seen directing people who were running on the tarmac in Florida on Friday afternoon
Police evacuate a civilian from an area at Fort Lauderdale Airport about 3pm on Friday after the shooting
Footage showed police officers in a stairwell as the airport remained a crime scene into the afternoon
Photo courtesy of Taylor Elenburg shows passengers gathering on the tarmac of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport in Florida after a gunman opened fire
Travelers and airport workers are evacuated out of the terminal after airport shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida
A heavily armored vehicle is seen heading to the the airport after the shooting
An aerial view taken on April 20, 2016 shows the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport in Florida, where a gunman opened fire on Friday
People who were evacuated onto the tarmac were put onto buses and moved. The airport has since been shut down
more videos
more videos
Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer was in the airport at the time of the shooting and tweeted about what was happening
Fleischer said police had told him there were five victims. That number has now reportedly risen
The former White House Press Secretary said it appeared as thought the situation had been controlled, but people were still in the airport
Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer was in the airport at the time of the shooting and tweeted about what was happening
Fleischer said police had told him there were five victims. That number has now reportedly risen
The former White House Press Secretary said it appeared as thought the situation had been controlled, but people were still in the airport
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4095720/Nine-shot-one-dead-shooting-Ft-Lauderdale-Hollywood-Airport.html#ixzz4V3CHiiN0
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Five dead in Fort Lauderdale airport shooting
An Iraq war veteran opened fire at Fort Lauderdale's main airport, a major tourist hub in Florida, killing five people and injuring eight, as panicked travelers fled for safety.
The suspect, identified by police as 26-year-old Esteban Santiago, was in custody and being questioned by the FBI over the shooting that shut down the international airport that is a gateway to the Caribbean.
The incident occurred in the baggage claim area of Terminal 2, as passengers collecting their luggage were interrupted by the alleged gunman, who withdrew a semi-automatic handgun before mowing down his victims.
Passengers gather on the tarmac of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport in Florida after a gunman opened fire, killing five people and injuring 8 on January 06, 2017 ©Taylor ELENBURG (COURTESY OF TAYLOR ELENBURG/AFP)
Witness John Schlicher told Fox News that he was picking up his first bag as he "heard the first shot. As I did, the person right next to me fell to the ground... It was very surreal."
The shooter "was holding a handgun. He was firing into the crowd. Everyone was standing there waiting for the luggage," he said.
Video showed passengers running for safety.
There was no immediate indication of a motive for the assault, in a country where gun violence is widespread due to the ready availability of firearms.
Santiago had traveled from Alaska to Fort Lauderdale, with a stopover in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the special agent in charge of Miami's FBI field office, George Piro, told reporters late Friday.
According to CBS he engaged in an argument on one leg of the trip.
"We're looking at several investigative leads not only in Alaska but other states that we have determined that he's either traveled to or has connections there," Piro said.
The suspect checked a gun inside his luggage, after declaring the weapon with airport authorities, then used it to take down his victims, CNN reported, citing law enforcement sources.
He was detained without law enforcement firing any shots, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel told reporters.
Piro said authorities were "looking at every angle, including the terrorism angle," but that it would take time to determine the nature of the attack.
- 'Lone shooter' -
In November, Santiago had walked into the FBI's Anchorage office exhibiting "erratic behavior" that led agents to contact local police, who took him to a medical facility for a mental health evaluation, Piro said.
CBS News reported that Santiago claimed he was being forced to fight for the Islamic State group and that the CIA was controlling his mind to make him watch IS videos.
Santiago, a former member of the Puerto Rico and Alaska National Guard, served in Iraq from April 2010 to February 2011. He ended his service in August.
ABC News reported that Santiago, who only reached the rank of private first class, received a general discharge for unsatisfactory performance.
Santiago was also the subject of a child porn investigation several years ago, but no charges were brought, CBS said.
Mayor Barbara Sharief told CNN that the gunman "was a lone shooter, and we have no evidence at this time that he was acting with anyone else."
Hours after the shooting, which occurred shortly before 1:00 pm (1800 GMT), many passengers still huddled inside the airport awaiting the all-clear.
"We've had dozens and dozens of busses transporting what we anticipate to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 folks," airport director Mark Gale said.
Gale said the airport, which had suspended all activity, aims to be operational by 5:00 am (1000 GMT) Saturday.
- Run and hide -
In addition to those killed and wounded, up to 40 people went to the hospital for various other injuries such as falling and sprains, Israel said.
Cellphone video footage broadcast by the local Fox television affiliate showed one person lying bloodied on the floor, and several others on their knees.
US President Barack Obama expressed "how heartbroken we are for the families who've been affected" during excerpts of an interview with ABC News.
Governor Rick Scott, who rushed to the airport to be briefed, told reporters that those responsible would be "held accountable to the full extent of the law."
Scott said that he had contacted President-elect Donald Trump, who said that he was "monitoring the terrible situation in Florida."
"Thoughts and prayers for all. Stay safe!" Trump tweeted.
Fatalities in shooting at Fort Lauderdale airport ©Laurence SAUBADU (AFP/File)
The incident at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport in Florida occured in the baggage claim area of Terminal 2, as passengers collecting their luggage were interrupted by gunshots ©Daniel SLIM (AFP/File)
.jpg)
