5 Dead, At Least 8 Injured in Shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport, Suspect in Custody
Five people have been killed and at least 8 people were injured in a shooting at the Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday, authorities confirm.
The Broward County Sheriff confirmed via Twitter that multiple people have been killed and the suspect is in custody.
Confirmed: Shooting at Fort Lauderdale -Hollywood International Airport with multiple people dead. One subject in custody.
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) January 6, 2017
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Update: Eight people were injured and transported to an area hospital.
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) January 6, 2017
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The shooting took place in Terminal 2 in the baggage claim area, outside the TSA checkpoint, police say. Air Canada and Delta Airlines operate out of Terminal 2.
People have been corralled onto the tarmac and paramedics are on the scene, police say.
All services at the airport have been temporarily suspended, the airport tweeted. Authorities tell PEOPLE that the entire airport is on lockdown, which is standard procedure.
Agencies on the scene include Fort Lauderdale Police, Hollywood Police, Broward County Sheriff’s Office, the TSA, the ATF, and the FBI. The Florida Highway Patrol is directing traffic.
All services are temporarily suspended at #FLL. Please contact your air carrier about your flight information. https://t.co/Uwbaa6n6aB
— Ft. Laude-Hlwd Int'l (@FLLFlyer) January 6, 2017
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A federal law enforcement source tells PEOPLE there have been 11 Active Shooter Preparedness Workshops conducted in Florida, although none of them in Fort Lauderdale.
In an interview with CNN, Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief said the shooter acted alone and that there is no evidence of a partner.
She said, “At this time we do not have a motive, but we are actively investigating that.”
Florida Gov. Rick Scott wrote on social media, “I am on my way to Fort Lauderdale International Airport to be briefed by law enforcement.”
I am on my way to Fort Lauderdale International Airport to be briefed by law enforcement.
— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) January 6, 2017
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Eyewitness: ‘It Stops Your Heart’
Stephanie Auclair, who was with her parents at the airport after a week’s vacation in Florida, tells PEOPLE, “When you see a bunch of people running toward you, screaming, ‘Shooter! Shooter,’ it stops your heart.”
She says she was with her parents and they hid in the kitchen of an airport restaurant before being moved to a stairwell. “We tried using the tables in the restaurant as shields. We were not sure where to go or where he was coming from. We were not sure where to hide,” she says.
She adds, “People left there stuff inside and just ran. It was a total panic. It was scary but now we’re safe. We are just waiting.”
Auclair says she got a first-hand look at the shooter being led by two security guards in handcuffs.
“The shooter was very skinny. He seemed to be very young… He was just letting himself be dragged by the police. It was scary,” she says.
Ari Fleischer, Former White House Press Secretary for President George W. Bush, was also at the airport. He tweeted, “I’m at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. Shots have been fired. Everyone is running.”
He added a few minutes later, “The police said there is one shooter and five victims.”
I'm at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. Shots have been fired. Everyone is running.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) January 6, 2017
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“All seems calm now but the police aren’t letting anyone out of the airport – at least not the area where I am,” Fleischer tweeted.
More than 325 departure and 325 arrival flights come in and out of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport a day, according to the airport’s website. Over 73,000 travelers are at the airport on a daily basis.
This is a breaking news story, please check back for updates.
Reporting by CHRIS HARRIS
