The gunman behind the lethal taking pictures at Florida's Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport is an Iraq battle veteran who had not too long ago change into a father and was struggling psychological well being points, based on his household.
Esteban Santiago, 26, left 5 individuals useless and eight wounded when he opened hearth within the airport's baggage declare terminal on Friday.
His household have mentioned Santiago was scuffling with psychiatric issues within the lead as much as the taking pictures and had not too long ago been hospitalized for therapy in Anchorage, Alaska.
Esteban Santiago, the 26-year-old gunman behind the lethal taking pictures at Florida's Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport, was an Iraq battle veteran struggling psychological well being points
Santiago had additionally been charged with home violence towards his ex-girlfriend in January 2016, The Each day Beast stories.
He allegedly verbally abused her of their condo in Anchorage, Alaska whereas she was locked within the rest room. Santiago is accused of then breaking down the door and hitting the lady within the head and strangling her.
Santiago was arrested days later after fleeing the scene however was launched on the situation he stayed away from the sufferer. He was charged with violating the circumstances in February 2016 after police discovered him at his girlfriend's dwelling. The assault case was resolved in March.
His brother Bryan Santiago, who lives in Puerto Rico, mentioned his household bought a name in latest months from Santiago's girlfriend alerting them to his well being scenario.
He mentioned he did not know what his brother was being handled for and that they by no means talked about it over the cellphone.
The incident that sparked his hospitalization occurred in November when Santiago walked into an FBI workplace in Anchorage claiming the federal government was controlling his thoughts and forcing him to observe movies for ISIS, CBS stories.
A regulation enforcement official mentioned the FBI interviewed him after which referred to as the police, who took him for a psychological well being analysis. The FBI mentioned Santiago said he didn't need to hurt anybody, however authorities had been involved by his erratic conduct. They mentioned they closed their evaluation of him as soon as he was admitted for therapy.
He was additionally contacted by the FBI after an employer again in Alaska raised issues about sure issues he had mentioned, based on ABC Information.
Santiago was born in New Jersey however moved to the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico when he was two years previous together with his mom and brother.
He grew up within the southern coastal city of Penuelas earlier than serving with the Puerto Rico Nationwide Guard from 2007. He ultimately joined the Alaska Nationwide guard from 2014 to 2016.
Santiago, who served in Iraq in 2010 as a fight engineer (proper), not too long ago welcomed a baby (left) together with his girlfriend in Anchorage, Alaska in September
A firearm (believed to be pictured) was Santiago's solely piece of checked baggage when he flew from Alaska to Florida on Delta by way of Minneapolis on Friday
Cellphone video confirmed victims on the ground subsequent to a carousel, with individuals on their knees making an attempt to offer help. At the least two victims had swimming pools of blood from obvious head wounds
Santiago was deployed to Iraq in 2010 and spent a 12 months there with the 130th Engineer Battalion.
A personal firstclass and fight engineer, he obtained half a dozen medals earlier than receiving a normal discharge for unsatisfactory efficiency in August final 12 months.
He had been dwelling in Anchorage, Alaska together with his girlfriend for 2 years earlier than they welcomed a baby in September final 12 months.
His aunt Maria Ruiz informed NorthJersey.com that Santiago had returned from Iraq appearing surprisingly however had appeared completely happy after the start of his little one.
However she mentioned one thing occurred to him a few month in the past and he was hospitalized for 2 weeks. She didn't have particulars of his situation.
'Like a month in the past, it was like he misplaced his thoughts. He mentioned he noticed issues,' she mentioned.
His uncle, Hernan Rivera, mentioned: 'Solely factor I might inform you was when he got here out of Iraq, he wasn't feeling too good.'
Santiago's brother Bryan Santiago speculated a few motive for the taking pictures, saying he might have suffered a 'flashback' from his time in Iraq, regardless of by no means being identified with PTSD, NBC stories.
Santiago had been dwelling on this condo complicated in Anchorage, Alaska together with his girlfriend and their new child child
Santaigo's aunt Maria Ruiz, who lives in New Jersey, mentioned that Santiago had returned from Iraq appearing surprisingly however had appeared completely happy after the start of his little one final 12 months
Authorities examine the house of Maria Luisa Ruiz in Union Metropolis, New Jersey. Ruiz is the aunt of the Esteban Santiago, the principle suspect within the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Worldwide Airport Capturing on Friday
Authorities closed off the road the place Santiago's aunt lived in Union Metropolis, New Jersey on Friday evening as they investigated the lethal taking pictures
He mentioned had not too long ago been combating with individuals again in Alaska, together with his girlfriend who he was having relationship points with.
He mentioned Santiago, who was 'was pro-America', has not spoken to his household for a number of weeks, which was uncommon.
Legislation enforcement officers mentioned Santiago flew from Anchorage, Alaska to Minneapolis, St. Paul on Delta flight 1088 on Thursday evening. He caught a connecting Delta flight 2182 to Florida on Friday.
A firearm was his solely piece of checked baggage.
The motive for the taking pictures continues to be not identified, however there have been stories Santiago might have gotten into an altercation on his flight earlier that morning.
Terrified individuals had been seen working throughout the tarmac about 2:30pm - greater than an hour after the taking pictures was reported
An armed police officer together with his handgun drawn is seen serving to a girl evacuate in the course of the chaos
An image shared on social media allegedly confirmed one of many individuals who was shot by a gunman
A taking pictures sufferer is taken into Broward Well being Trauma Heart in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Santiago - wearing a Star Wars t-shirt - claimed his bag as soon as he bought to Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood.
He went to the lavatory to load his handgun earlier than opening hearth within the baggage declare space.
Witnesses mentioned he solely stopped firing when he ran out of ammunition, at which level he surrendered to police.
Authorities mentioned Santiago was carrying U.S. navy identification on the time.
Police mentioned it appeared like Santiago was touring alone however the investigation is ongoing.
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