Ruth Haines
Esteban Santiago, a 26-year-old Iraq war veteran, killed five people and injured six when he opened fire at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in 2017. Santiago had a history of mental illness and erratic behaviour, and had received psychological treatment prior to the attack. Despite this, he was able to legally obtain a firearm and carry it onto the premises, raising questions about the effectiveness of gun control laws and the ability of law enforcement to prevent such incidents. Santiago was sentenced to life in prison for the shooting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shooter's name | Esteban Santiago |
| Date of shooting | January 6, 2017 |
| Location | Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport |
| Number of victims | 5 killed, 6 injured |
| Shooter's mental health | Diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder |
| Shooter's legal competence | Deemed legally competent to stand trial |
| Shooter's criminal charges | Performing an act of violence at an international airport, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm |
| Shooter's plea | Not guilty to all charges |
| Outcome of the trial | Sentenced to life in prison |
| Law enforcement's response | Broward County Sheriff's Office deputy responded within 85 seconds, no shots fired by law enforcement |
| Investigation findings | No links to terrorism or violation of laws during the Alaska incident |
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What You'll Learn
Esteban Santiago's mental health
The Fort Lauderdale airport shooter, Esteban Santiago, had a history of mental health issues. Santiago's brother, Bryan Santiago, stated that he had not spoken to him in the three weeks leading up to the shooting, which was unusual. Bryan described his brother as a "serious person" and a "normal person".
Santiago's mental health issues began after he returned from a tour in Iraq, where he served in the National Guard. His family members stated that he was severely affected by witnessing a bomb explode near two of his friends while in service. After returning from Iraq, Santiago received mental health treatment and therapy in Puerto Rico. He was discharged from the National Guard in 2016 due to "unsatisfactory performance" and episodes of being absent without leave. His behaviour was described as "strange" by Army investigators.
In November 2016, Santiago visited the FBI office in Anchorage, Alaska, claiming that the U.S. government was controlling his mind and forcing him to watch ISIS propaganda videos. He was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, and his gun was confiscated by the police. However, he got his gun back from the police a month later, just weeks before the shooting.
After his arrest, Santiago was diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. He initially refused to take psychotropic medication but later agreed, and his mental condition showed improvement. He was eventually deemed legally competent to stand trial.
The shooting has raised questions about the gaps in the mental health system and the need for better treatment and support for individuals at risk of violence.
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Santiago's previous contact with the FBI
The Fort Lauderdale airport shooter, Esteban Santiago, had previous contact with the FBI. Santiago, who grew up in Puerto Rico and served in the National Guard in Puerto Rico and Alaska, was deployed to Iraq from 2010 to 2011. According to his family, he began to suffer from mental illness after his tour in Iraq, and his mental health problems led to his dismissal as a security guard at Signal 88 Security in November 2016.
In March 2012, the Puerto Rico Police opened an investigation into Santiago's erratic behavior and confiscated his firearms. However, the firearms were returned to him in May 2014. In August 2016, Santiago was discharged from the Alaska National Guard due to "strange behavior" and "episodes of being absent without leave."
After his arrest for the airport shooting, Santiago was diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. He initially refused to take psychotropic medication but later agreed, and his mental condition improved. Santiago was found legally competent to stand trial and pleaded not guilty to all charges. However, before the trial, Santiago's attorneys and federal prosecutors reached a plea agreement in which Santiago would plead guilty in exchange for a sentence of life in prison.
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Santiago's compliance with Transportation Security Administration protocols
Esteban Santiago, the perpetrator of the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting, complied with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) protocols when checking in his gun. Santiago flew from Anchorage, Alaska to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with a stop in Minneapolis, and had a handgun in his checked luggage. He travelled "with no luggage except his gun case", which contained a Walther 9mm pistol and two loaded magazines.
Santiago, a former National Guardsman, had received training in the proper handling and storage of firearms. He was also a licensed gun owner, having obtained a Florida driver's license in 2012 and a permit to carry a concealed gun in Puerto Rico. Despite his history of erratic behaviour and mental illness, Santiago had not been convicted of a serious crime or adjudicated as mentally defective, which would have prohibited him from legally possessing a firearm.
Upon landing in Fort Lauderdale, Santiago retrieved his bag and proceeded to a bathroom, where he loaded his gun and attached the ammunition magazines. He then opened fire in the baggage claim area of Terminal 2, killing five people and injuring six others. The shooting lasted approximately 85 seconds before Santiago was apprehended by law enforcement officers.
In the aftermath of the shooting, questions were raised about the adequacy of law enforcement and security measures. While Santiago had complied with existing TSA protocols, the ease with which he was able to access and utilise his weapon during his journey highlighted potential gaps in security measures. This incident underscored the ongoing challenge of balancing the rights of licensed gun owners with the need to ensure the safety and security of air travellers.
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The response of law enforcement officials
Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel stated that law enforcement officers did not fire any shots and arrested the gunman without further incident. The Special Master found that the shooting "was not preventable by Sheriff Israel or anyone else". However, an independent review found that authorities failed to coordinate their response and that it was unclear who was in charge, with confusion fuelling a frenzied second evacuation amid false rumours of a second shooter.
The FBI had previously scrutinised the gunman, Esteban Santiago, and determined he was not a threat, despite him voluntarily walking into one of their offices and making bizarre, non-threatening statements. Santiago told the FBI that "he did not wish to harm anyone", and he was admitted to a mental health facility. The FBI also noted that Santiago had served in the Puerto Rico and Alaska National Guard, including a deployment to Iraq from 2010 to 2011.
Following the shooting, federal officials filed criminal charges against Santiago, including performing an act of violence at an international airport, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm. Santiago was sentenced to five consecutive terms of life imprisonment and six consecutive terms of 20 years each.
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Santiago's guilty plea
On January 6, 2017, Esteban Santiago killed five people and injured six when he opened fire in the baggage claim area of Terminal 2 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Santiago, who had served in the National Guard in Puerto Rico and Alaska and had been deployed to Iraq from 2010 to 2011, was suffering from mental illness. He had received psychological treatment shortly before the attack and had been discharged from the Alaska National Guard in August 2016 due to "strange behaviour" and "poor performance".
Santiago was diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder after his arrest and was deemed legally competent to stand trial. He initially pleaded not guilty to all charges during a court hearing on January 30, 2017. However, before the trial, Santiago's attorneys and federal prosecutors made a plea agreement in which Santiago would plead guilty in exchange for a sentence of life in prison.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Fort Lauderdale airport shooter, Esteban Santiago, did not follow the law. He was charged with performing an act of violence at an international airport, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm. He was sentenced to life in prison.
While the shooter did not have a criminal record, he did have a history of mental illness and erratic behavior. He had received psychological treatment prior to the attack and had been investigated by the FBI for erratic behavior.
Yes, the shooter was sentenced to life in prison for the attack. He was charged with multiple federal crimes and ultimately pleaded guilty in exchange for a sentence of life in prison.
Yes, there were some criticisms of law enforcement's response to the shooting. An independent review found that authorities failed to coordinate their response effectively and that there was confusion about who was in charge. Additionally, the FBI had received a tip about the potential for the shooter to carry out an attack but failed to act on it.
