FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (CBSNewYork) — Law enforcement sources have told CBS2 that Fort Lauderdale airport shooting suspect Esteban Santiago-Ruiz picked the Florida airport at random and did not have any prior linkage to that airport.
Suspected Fort Lauderdale Shooter Esteban Santiago-Ruiz: Five Fast Facts
As CBS2’s Dave Carlin reported from Fort Lauderdale, the shooting was reported just before 1 p.m. Friday at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in the baggage claim area of Terminal 2, which is used by Delta Airlines and Air Canada.
Five people were killed, and several others were injured.
Santiago was arrested without incident after the shooting and was in police custody Friday night. Sources said there was no nexus to terrorism with the shooter, but terrorism has not been ruled out as a motive.
Santiago-Ruiz, 26, was born in New Jersey, law enforcement sources told CBS News. Santiago-Ruiz spent most of his time in Puerto Rico before going to Anchorage, Alaska.
Sources told CBS News a man meeting Santiago-Ruiz’s description , and who is believed to have been Santiago-Ruiz, walked into FBI offices in Anchorage two months ago and said the government was forcing him to watch ISIS videos. Agents were apparently so concerned about him they took him to a mental health facility, CBS News’ Scott Pelley reported.
Sources also told CBS2 the 9mm handgun Santiago-Ruiz had when he walked into the FBI office in Anchorage is the same weapon he allegedly used in the Fort Lauderdale attack.
Senator Chuck Schumer says after the attack, its clear that the front lines of security at airports needs to extend throughout the entire facility — not just the point after the check in desk, WCBS 880’s Mike Smeltz reported.
“We’ve been very secure on the other side, we gotta make this side secure,” Schumer said. “We thought after 9/11 we couldn’t stop what they did — we’ve done a pretty good job, knock [on] wood.”
Schumer also says gun laws need to strengthen, specifically in this case where the suspected shooter is reported to have suffered from mental health issues, but was legally allowed to carry a gun.
Sources say the investigation into the incident is still in its early stages and officials are looking to speak to anyone who may have known or been in contact with Santiago before the attack.
Investigators are also reviewing Santiago’s communication and financial records.
Santiago-Ruiz will be charged federally and is expected to appear in court in South Florida on Monday.
