Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooter May Face Death Penalty

MIAMI, FL — Esteban Santiago Ruiz, the troubled 26-year-old Iraq war veteran accused of coldly opening fire at a crowded Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, could face the death penalty for his deadly rampage that killed five people and wounded six others.

Santiago Ruiz will have his initial appearance Monday at 11 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle in Fort Lauderdale, not far from the Terminal 2 baggage claim where Santiago Ruiz reportedly retrieved his semi-automatic handgun Friday from a Delta flight from Minneapolis, entered a restroom to load it and emerged shooting.

The suspect not only served in the U.S. military in Iraq but he earned 11 awards, including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

The first reports of shots fired in the airport came in around 12:56 p.m.

"The area was crowded with newly-arrived passengers retrieving their luggage," according to a criminal complaint. "Santiago started shooting, aiming at his victims’ heads until he was out of ammunition. Santiago killed five people and wounded six more. Moments later, Santiago was confronted by a BSO deputy. He dropped his handgun on the ground and was arrested by BSO deputies."

Santiago Ruiz was charged with performing an act of violence against a person at an airport serving international civil aviation that caused serious bodily injury; 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 in the course of a violation.

Each of those federal offenses carry a maximum penalty of death or imprisonment for life, according to federal officials.

"The U.S. Attorney's Office expresses our deepest condolences to the victims’ families and to all of those impacted by yesterday's tragedy. Our office commends the first responders, civilians and law enforcement partners who came together to provide assistance to those in need and support the ongoing investigation," said U.S Attorney Wifredo Ferrer, noting that the charges "represent the gravity of the situation" and reflect the commitment of federal, state and local law enforcement to prosecute those who target residents and visitors.

“Our condolences are with the victims of this heinous crime and their families,” added George L. Piro, special agent in Ccharge of the FBI in Miami.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ricardo A. Del Toro with assistance from Department of Justice Trial Attorney Larry Schneider.

Three of the airport's four terminals reopened on Saturday, while Terminal 2 remained closed for takeoffs, landings and baggage claims. It reopened for ticketing Delta and Air Canada passengers.

Airport officials said they had processed some 25,000 bags on Saturday that belonged to passengers who were forced to leave them behind during the chaotic scene.

Passengers who left their bags on any of the dozens of planes along the tarmac and gates were asked to contact their airline carriers.

A native of New Jersey, Santiago Ruiz told the FBI two months ago that he was being forced to watch Islamic State videos.

Piro acknowledged on Friday that Santiago Ruiz walked into the FBI's office in Anchorage in November and demonstrated behavior "erratic" enough that local police were called and took him to a medical hospital for a mental health evaluation.

"He came in and spoke with FBI agents. At that time he clearly stated that he did not intend to harm anyone, however, his erratic behavior concerned FBI agents that were interviewing him and they contacted local police and turned him over to local police," said Piro, who added the agency closed its investigation after performing an inter-agency check on Santiago Ruiz.

Santiago Ruiz traveled Friday from Alaska to Minneapolis before landing in Fort Lauderdale on the Delta flight.

More than an hour after the shooting, heavily armed officers were still searching a parking garage at the airport, and passengers who had been standing outdoors on tarmacs were seen running from their holding spots as reports spread that there might have been a second shooter.

Several hours after the shooting, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel confirmed that the suspect was believed to have acted alone.

Israel also said that many other people were taken to area hospitals aside from the initial report of eight wounded. That number was downgraded to six on Saturday.

"There were at least 30 to 40 more people who went to hospitals for various injuries, falling, contusions, broken bones, strains, sprains and things of that nature," Israel added.

Photo by Broward County Sheriff's Office