The man who opened fire at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has been identified as New Jersey-born Esteban Santiago.
Law enforcement sources said the 26-year-old acted alone when he opened fire in the baggage claim area of the airport, killing five people and injuring eight.
More World News Videos
- Video duration
- 00:39
Multiple people dead in Florida airport ...
Multiple people dead in Florida airport shooting
At least nine people have been wounded and multiple people killed in a shooting at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, with officials saying the shooter is in custody.
Up Next
Syrian truck bomb leaves dozens dead
- Video duration
- 00:30
- Video duration
- 00:30
Syrian truck bomb leaves dozens dead
Syrian truck bomb leaves dozens dead
At least 48 people were killed on Saturday in the Syrian border town of Azaz after a truck bomb ripped through a busy marketplace.
Up Next
Michelle Obama emotional final speech as first lady
- Video duration
- 01:20
- Video duration
- 01:20
Michelle Obama emotional final speech as ...
Michelle Obama emotional final speech as first lady
First Lady Michelle Obama gave her final remarks in an emotional speech at the White House on Friday telling young people, "this country belongs to you."
Up Next
Russia undoubtedly meddled in election
- Video duration
- 03:05
- Video duration
- 03:05
Russia undoubtedly meddled in election
Russia undoubtedly meddled in election
National Intelligence Director James Clapper said Russia poses a major and growing threat to US government, military, diplomatic and commercial operations. Senators suggested the President-elect should take notice.
Up Next
Thai baby elephant takes a dip in the pool for rehab
- Video duration
- 01:06
- Video duration
- 01:06
Thai baby elephant takes a dip in the ...
Thai baby elephant takes a dip in the pool for rehab
A baby elephant rescued from an animal trap gets hydrotherapy treatment as part of a lengthy rehabilitation process to heal her injured foot.
Up Next
The wearables of tomorrow
- Video duration
- 01:25
- Video duration
- 01:25
The wearables of tomorrow
The wearables of tomorrow
Thousands flock to the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to check out all the latest in wearable technology, from shoes that tie themselves, to even underwear that protects the user from radiation!
Up Next
Chicago police describe alleged hate crime
- Video duration
- 01:34
- Video duration
- 01:34
Chicago police describe alleged hate crime
Chicago police describe alleged hate crime
Four black people were charged with hate crimes Thursday in connection with a video broadcast live on Facebook that showed a mentally disabled white man being beaten and taunted, threatened with a knife and forced to drink from a toilet.
Multiple people dead in Florida airport shooting
At least nine people have been wounded and multiple people killed in a shooting at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, with officials saying the shooter is in custody.
Federal sources told NBC News the shootings did not appear to be an act of terrorism, and both federal and family sources said Santiago had some mental health issues.
Santiago was carrying a military ID when he was arrested, uninjured, at the airport.
Related Content
Esteban lived in Alaska, moving there two years ago for work, where he was employed in security, according to NBC. It is believed he lives there with a girlfriend and a young child.
He reportedly took Delta flight 1088 from Anchorage, Alaska, to Minneapolis on Thursday night, before taking Delta flight 2182 to Fort Lauderdale on Friday morning.
Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca said the shooter had carried the gun in his checked baggage.
"He claimed his bag and took the gun from baggage and went into the bathroom to load it. Came out shooting people in baggage claim," La Marca wrote on Facebook.
Witnesses said he fired indiscriminately, throwing the gun down after he ran out of ammunition and then lying face down on the ground as he waited for officers to arrest him.
He is being questioned by a team of FBI agents and sheriff's deputies. Authorities said it was too early to determine a motive.
Santiago's brother, Bryan Santiago, spoke with NBC News over the phone from Puerto Rico Friday afternoon.
He said Esteban was born in New Jersey but moved to Penuela, Puerto Rico, where Bryan and their mother still live. Esteban served in the National Guard in Puerto Rico for six years, and went to Iraq for about a year, Bryan said.
"He was pro-America," Bryan said.
Santiago's aunt, Maria Ruiz, told reporters in New Jersey that Esteban had acted strangely after returning from Iraq and had been hospitalised for mental health issues after his tour.
"He lost his mind," Ruiz told nj.com, in Spanish.
However, she also said that her nephew had been "happy with the kid" after the birth of his baby boy last year and appeared to be doing well.
Her husband, Hernan Rivera, said he had "no idea" why Santiago might have opened fire in the Florida airport.
"Only thing I could tell you was when he came out of Iraq, he wasn't feeling too good," Rivera said.
A spokeswoman for the Alaska National Guard confirmed to NBC News that Esteban Santiago joined the Puerto Rico National Guard in December 2007, and deployed to Iraq from April 23, 2010 to February 19, 2011.
He was then in the Army Reserves before joining the Alaska Army National Guard on November 21, 2014. He received a general discharge from the Alaska Army National Guard on August 16, 2016, for unsatisfactory performance, the spokeswoman said.
Esteban Santiago was a combat engineer and his rank was private first class when he was discharged.
His brother also confirmed that Esteban owned a handgun.
Fairfax Media