Updated January 07, 2017 10:01:11
A gunman carrying US military identification has shot dead five people at a baggage carousel at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, before being taken into custody.
Key points:
- Gunman arrived on flight with checked gun in bag
- Shooter reportedly identified as 26yo who was honourably discharged from Army last year
- Appears shooter acted alone, too early to assign motive: County Sheriff
Five people died and eight were wounded, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel told reporters at the airport, where air traffic was shut down.
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, Mr LaMarca said.
Mobile phone video posted on social media showed victims on the floor next to a carousel, with people on their knees attempting to provide aid.
At least two victims had pools of blood from apparent head wounds.
Police did not fire any shots and the shooter was taken into custody unharmed, Mr Israel said, adding it was too early to assign a motive.
"At this point, it looks like he acted alone," Mr Israel said.
Nonetheless, he said "this scene is considered fluid and active" as police searched the rest of the airport.
Mr Israel's office later tweeted that the bomb squad would detonate a "suspicious package near railroad tracks".
Shooter said nothing as he fired, witnesses say
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.
A Iraq war veteran by that name was honourably discharged from the Army National Guard last year, a US official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The gunman 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.
Video showed hundreds of people standing on the tarmac as an ambulance drove by and authorities rushed to the scene.
John Schlicher, who told MSNBC he saw the attack, said the gunman was "directly firing at us" while passengers waited for their bags to come off the carousel.
"I put my head down and prayed," Mr Schlicher said, adding that his wife gave first aid to someone who had been shot in the head.
His mother-in-law used her sweater to tend to another victim but it turned out that victim was already dead, Mr Schlicher said.
Mark Lea, another witness, told MSNBC "there was no rhyme or reason to it".
"He didn't say anything, he was quiet the whole time, he didn't yell anything," Mr Lea said.
Florida Governor travelling to Fort Lauderdale
Security officials corralled passengers into areas including underneath the terminal and at least one open space on the runway apron, according to images on cable news networks.
Florida Governor Rick Scott was traveling to Fort Lauderdale to be briefed by law enforcement, his office said in a statement.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is the second largest in South Florida, serving as an intercontinental gateway, with Miami International Airport known as the primary airport for international flights in the area.
Some 30 kilometres north of Miami, the Fort Lauderdale airport is near cruise line terminals.
ABC/wires
First posted January 07, 2017 06:01:54
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