Florida Gov. Scott: shooting "senseless, evil act"

Record ID: 163289

  • Title: Florida Gov. Scott: shooting "senseless, evil act"
  • Date: 7th January 2017
  • Summary: FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 6, 2017) (REUTERS) OUTSIDE AIRPORT TERMINAL, LARGE CROWD STANDING BESIDE POLICE VEHICLES EMERGENCY VEHICLE DRIVING ON ROAD VARIOUS OF POLICE PRESENCE
  • Embargoed: 22nd January 2017 05:46
  • Keywords: Ft. Lauderdale Florida shooting Governor Rick Scott hospital
  • Location: FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES
  • City: FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Crime
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015Y2XX6V
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Florida Governor Rick Scott called the shooting at the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport earlier on Friday (January 6) a "senseless, evil act" and vowed to bring the alleged perpetrator to justice. Five people were killed and at least eight others wounded when a gunman opened fire in a baggage claim area.
    "What's important to me is that we will never tolerate things like this in our state. Whoever's responsible, we'll do everything we can to hold them accountable. We will never let anybody off the hook. We will hold them accountable to the full extent of the law," Scott told reporters outside a local hospital where some of the victims were being treated for their injuries.
    The FBI says 26-year-old Esteban Santiago, an Iraq war veteran, is suspected of opening fire at the airport shortly after 1 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) after arriving in Ft. Lauderdale on a connecting flight from Alaska on Friday. When he retrieved a 9mm semi-automatic handgun from his checked luggage he began firing indiscriminately.
    Governor Scott says he had been in contact with President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump after the shooting.
    "I appreciate that both President Obama and President-elect Trump called and Vice President-elect Pence called. I appreciate that when something like this happens you know that you have the support of the federal government," Scott said.
    Santiago was taken into custody immediately following the shooting and questioned at length. He is expected to face federal charges in the shooting rampage, the FBI says.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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