Estaban Santiago and his shooting rampage last week at Fort Lauderdale Airport gripped the nation in fear and added fuel to the ongoing debate regarding gun control. Video of the former National Guardsman has emerged, which shows the terrifying moment as it unfolded.
Last Friday (Jan. 6), Santiago, 26, opened fired at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida, killing five and wounding six others. Earlier reports stated that Santiago struck 13 people and there was chatter online of an active second shooter on the scene. Santiago was apprehended by authorities and is now awaiting his fate.
TMZ posted a short video of the shooting, and the eerie calm in which Santiago carries out the crime is gripping. After a pair of families walked past the baggage claim area of the airport, Santiago is seen calmly walking before taking out his firearm and spreading shots around in a random fashion before running off.
The Sun-Sentinel adds in their report that Santiago is facing a maximum penalty of death and was told of his potential fate earlier today.
From the Sun-Sentinel:
Santiago, 26, is accused of killing five people and wounding six others at Fort Lauderdale’s airport. He was flanked by eight to nine deputy U.S. marshals as he answered questions from U.S. Magistrate Alicia Valle.
“The maximum penalty, if you were to be convicted, is death — it is a capital offense,” Valle told him.
Santiago, who stared down at the defense table for much of the hearing, said he understood the seriousness of the charges he is facing.
In court, Santiago did not say anything about his alleged motive or why he came to South Florida.
In earlier reports, it was suggested that Santiago might be suffering from schizophrenia and other related conditions. Santiago had a run-in with the FBI in Anchorage, Alaska and underwent mental health evaluation after working in the state as a security guard.
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Photo: twitter
