Life in prison for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport shooter who killed five
On Friday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced that Esteban Santiago-Ruiz was sentenced to life in prison by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom in Miami. Santiago had previously pleaded guilty to charges of committing acts of violence at an international airport resulting in five deaths and serious injuries, in connection with the mass-shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on January 6, 2017. The joint announcement was made by Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Scott Israel, Sheriff, Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BSO).
The judge sentenced Santiago to five consecutive terms of life imprisonment on five counts of committing acts of violence at an international airport causing death, and, consecutive terms of 20 years imprisonment on six counts of committing acts of violence at an international airport causing serious bodily injury.
“While nothing can ever heal the wounds inflicted by the defendant’s unspeakable and horrific acts of violence, we hope that the life sentence imposed today provides at least some sense of justice for the victims and their loved ones,” said U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg. “Though we all hope that such tragedy never again occurs, law enforcement remains committed to making our community safer and caring for victims of crime when tragedy strikes.”
“My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and everyone affected by this senseless and cowardly act of violence,” said Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami. “While this sentence cannot erase what happened, may it serve to demonstrate society’s commitment to honor and remember those who suffered that day.”
“Since this horrible tragedy first occurred, my prayers have remained with the families,” Sheriff Scott Israel said. “Though this sentencing won’t change the outcome, I hope everyone affected by this killer’s heinous actions can find a way to move forward and heal.”
According to court documents, shortly before 1 p.m. on January 6, 2017, Santiago carried out an armed attack on newly-arrived passengers retrieving their luggage in the Terminal 2 baggage claim area of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Santiago pulled out a handgun and started shooting at numerous victims, aiming at the victims’ heads and bodies until he was out of ammunition (see video below.)
Santiago killed five people and seriously 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.
NPR reported that Santiago previously served as a combat engineer in the National Guard. He was discharged in 2017 “for unsatisfactory performance. Santiago was reported for several infractions like AWOLs, or absences without leave.”
During Santiago’s time with the Puerto Rico National Guard, he was deployed to Iraq from April 2010 to February 2011. The U.S. pulled troops from the country at the end of that year.
His aunt, Maria Ruiz Rivera, tells The Record of New Jersey that after he returned, she noticed changes in his mental health.
“He lost his mind,” Ruiz Rivera told the newspaper in Spanish. “He said he saw things.” ~ per NPR
Diagnosed as a schizophrenic, Judge Bloom declared back in March that Santiago was fit to stand to trial after it was made clear that he was “taking prescribed anti-psychotic medication,” according to The Business Insider.
https://youtu.be/78PiE4vmeJ8
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida
~ Written by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
