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Airport gunman suspect chose Florida to carry out attack, FBI

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United States prosecutors have filed charges against the Florida airport shooting suspect that could bring the death penalty if he is convicted.

A criminal complaint filed overnight by the Miami US attorney's office accuses 26-year-old Esteban Santiago of an act of violence resulting in death and firearms offences.

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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.

Santiago is accused of fatally shooting five people and wounding six others on Friday at a Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport baggage claim.

Esteban flew to Fort Lauderdale to carry out the rampage, and there are no signs there was any altercation on the flight or at baggage claim prior to the attack, authorities said on Saturday.

George Piro, Miami FBI special agent, told reporters Esteban Santiago, 26, cooperated with investigators during an interview that lasted several hours overnight. 

Piro said on Saturday the suspect "came here specifically to carry out this horrific attack".

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"We have not identified any triggers that would have caused this attack," he said.

Authorities "continue to look at the terrorism angle" as a possible motive for the shooting rampage that left five people dead at the Fort Lauderdale airport.

"We have not ruled out anything," he said.

"We continue to look at all avenues, all motives."

Santiago allegedly went to baggage claim about 1pm on Friday and picked up his one piece of checked luggage.

There were no other bags, just a case with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun inside, CNN reported.

He went back into the baggage claim area and began firing indiscriminately, authorities said.

In addition to the five killed, eight people were wounded by gunfire and some three dozen were taken to hospital with bruises or broken bones.

Reuters, AAP