Five people have been shot dead by a gunman at Fort Lauderdale airport in Florida, say officials.<\/p>\n
It happened at the baggage claim area in Terminal 2, just before 1300 local time (1800 GMT), the airport confirmed.<\/p>\n
Five people were killed, eight injured and one person was unharmed in custody, said police and local officials.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of people were standing on the tarmac outside the terminal as dozens of police cars and ambulances rushed to the scene.<\/p>\n
One of the first reports of the incident came from former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, who said in a tweet: “I’m at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. Shots have been fired. Everyone is running.”<\/p>\n
A witness told MSNBC that the gunman was a “slender man’ who was wearing a Star Wars T-shirt.<\/p>\n
The gunman, who appeared to be in his 20s, did not speak before or during the attack, John Schlicher said.<\/p>\n
He added that his mother-in-law administered first aid to someone who had been shot in the head.<\/p>\n
Florida Senator Bill Nelson told US media that the gunman has been identified as Esteban Santiago, but that has not been confirmed by law enforcement.<\/p>\n
A man in handcuffs was seen being escorted away from the airport by police nearly two hours after the shooting was first reported.<\/p>\n
Mobile phone footage from the scene showed police officers frisking passengers and uniformed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers.<\/p>\n
A Miami TV station tweeted footage claiming to be filmed from inside the baggage terminal.<\/p>\n
The video shows several injured people laying on the floor, as witnesses shout for medical help.<\/p>\n
The gunman was arrested without any shots fired, said Sheriff Scott Israel.<\/p>\n
“People were scared and frantically running to avoid being shot. People were tripping over each other. They were trying to make a fast exit out of the door.”<\/p>\n
Florida Governor Rick Scott is travelling to the airport to be briefed by police.<\/p>\n
Federal aviation authorities issued a “ground stop” notice, barring flights from leaving or entering the airport.<\/p>\n
President-elect Donald Trump tweeted that he is “monitoring the terrible situation in Florida” and that he has spoken to the Florida governor.<\/p>\n
“Thoughts and prayers for all. Stay safe!” he added.<\/p>\n
Fort Lauderdale is a major tourist hub in the greater Miami area.<\/p>\n
Nearby Miami International Airport announced that “extra security measures” have been put in place “out of an abundance of caution”.<\/p>\n
Source: bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"