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5 dead, 8 injured in shooting at airport in Florida

Friday, 06 January 2017 6:32 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 07 January 2017 1:52 AM ]

Aerial view of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in the US state of Florida.

Five people have been killed and at least eight others injured in a shooting at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Broward County, Florida, reports say.

The incident happened on Friday when a gunman, wearing a "Star Wars" T-shirt, opened fire on passengers in a baggage claim area, according to the Broward Sheriff's Office.

Fort Lauderdale International Airport workers huddle behind a row of cars following the shooting. (Photo via Sun Sentinel)

Police say the shooter is a former member of the Puerto Rico and Alaska National Guard, who served in Iraq from April 2010 to February 2011, and ended his service in August.

He was identified as 26-year-old Esteban Santiago. He was shot by police as he was trying to reload and was taken into custody.

According to Senator Bill Nelson of Florida, Santiago carried a US military identification.

"He had a military ID, we don't know if it is current, but every time you get a bunch of people like at baggage claim or like outside of TSA (Transportation Security Administration) where you're going to security or lines at the ticket counter, it's a soft target," Nelson told CNN.

“He was a lone shooter and we have no evidence at this time that he was acting with anyone else,” Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief told CNN. “He is currently in custody and we're investigating."

People gathered on the tarmac at the Fort Lauderdale airport after shots were fired. (Photo via AP)

President-elect Donald Trump said in a tweet that he was “monitoring the terrible situation in Florida,” noting he had spoken to Gov. Rick Scott, who later said "this is a senseless act of evil."

Also, President Barack Obama spoke to Scott and Sharief and extended his condolences to the loved ones of the victims, a White House spokesman said.

Shooting victims are taken into Broward Health Trauma Center in Fort Lauderdale. (Photo via Sun Sentinel)

At the time of the incident, Ari Fleischer, the former White House press secretary for George W. Bush, said, "I'm at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. Shots have been fired. Everyone is running."

The shooting, which happened at a baggage carousel in Terminal 2, an area used by Delta Air Lines and Air Canada, prompted the officials to shut down the airport.

Hundreds waiting on the airport tarmac for police to clear the terminal.(Photo via CBS)

A video showed travelers running out of the airport while hundreds of people were waiting on the tarmac as numerous law enforcement officers rushed to the area. It also showed several injured people laying on the floor, calling for help.

"People were scared and frantically running to avoid being shot. People were tripping over each other. They were trying to make a fast exit out of the door," a witness told NBC News.

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