Shots Fired at Fort Lauderdale Airport, Killing 1

The Latest: Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooting

A gunman opened fire, shooting at least 12 people and killing five of them

  • Jan 06, 2017

[Update: January 9, 2017 8:45 a.m.]

Footage obtained by TMZ from Fort Lauderdale's surveillance system shows Esteban Santiago, 26, pulling a gun from his waistband in the baggage claim area of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport's terminal two just before shooting 13 people, five of which died as a result of the ambush.

Police believe that Santiago checked a firearm into his luggage in Alaska before boarding a flight to Fort Lauderdale. When the plan landed, he picked up his luggage from terminal two's baggage claim area, found a nearby bathroom, loaded his gun and hid it in the waistband of his pants. From there, he exited the bathroom, walked in-sync with other travelers through the terminal before pulling the gun and open firing.

Police were able to take Santiago into custody without harming him. In an effort to identify him, they found on him a military ID. According to the military, Santiago had nine years of service with the National Guard, including a 10-month tour in Iraq.

Santiago told police that he bought a one-way ticket to Fort Lauderdale and brought a Walther 9 millimeter pistol and two magazines. He admitted that he shot about 15 shots and was aiming at people's heads.

Santiago is expected to be formally charged Monday, January 9 with counts of causing serious bodily injury to someone at an international airport; using a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime; and causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm.

As of Monday morning, two of the victims remain in the intensive care unit at Broward General Hospital, while the remaining victims have either been released or are recovering at the hospital. Police believe an additional 20+ people were injured during the events, not as a result of gunfire, but panic.

Rumors spread through the airport as the gunfire rang out and afterwards. People were evacuated on to tarmacs while police swept the airport, looking for additional threats. Just as Santiago was boarded up and taken off, people were allowed to re-enter the terminals to be re-screened through security.

About a half hour later, panic set in again as rumors of a second shooter spread. People ran for their lives back out to the tarmac, hiding behind machinery and large equipment.

Police said at a press conference that additional  threats to the airport were unconfirmed.

[UPDATE: January 6, 2017 2:30 p.m.]

The Associated Press is now reporting that at least five people were killed in the shooting, and 12 were injured. Police say the shooting happened in Terminal 2 in the baggage claim area outside the TSA checkpoint. The shooter acted alone.

Original story posted below.

According to multiple reports, a gunman opened fire at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida Friday afternoon, shooting nine people and killing at least one. Local law enforcement announced the gunman was in custody.

At this time it is unclear whether the shooting took place inside an airport terminal or not. Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer was at the airport at the time, saying everyone was running and eventually it calmed down.

Featured

  • Security Today Announces 2025 CyberSecured Award Winners

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 CyberSecured Awards winners. Sixteen companies are being recognized this year for their network products and other cybersecurity initiatives that secure our world today. Read Now

  • Empowering and Securing a Mobile Workforce

    What happens when technology lets you work anywhere – but exposes you to security threats everywhere? This is the reality of modern work. No longer tethered to desks, work happens everywhere – in the office, from home, on the road, and in countless locations in between. Read Now

  • TSA Introduces New $45 Fee Option for Travelers Without REAL ID Starting February 1

    The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced today that it will refer all passengers who do not present an acceptable form of ID and still want to fly an option to pay a $45 fee to use a modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, to establish identity at security checkpoints beginning on February 1, 2026. Read Now

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.