5 dead as gunman opens fire at Fort Lauderdale airport in US

Passengers take cover as first responders secure the area outside the Fort LauderdaleHollywood International airport after the shooting on Friday in Florida inset Esteban Santiago PicsAFPAPHouston At least five persons have been shot dead and eight others injured when a gunman opened fire at US Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport in Florida the latest mass shooting incident to rock the countryThe 26yearold suspect identified as Esteban Santiago was taken into custody His motive was not immediately known A Iraq war veteran Santiago was discharged from the Alaska Army National Guard last year due to unsatisfactory performanceFloridas Broward County Sheriffs office said five people were dead and eight had been taken to a nearby hospital The shooting took place yesterday in Terminal 2 in the baggage claim area outside the TSA checkpoint police saidAir Canada and Delta Airlines operate out of Terminal 2 People were corralled onto the tarmac and paramedics were at the scene police said All services at the airport have been temporarily suspended the airport tweetedThe President Barack Obama on behalf of the American people extended his sincere condolences to the families and other loved ones of those killed and noted that his thoughts and prayers are with the wounded said Ned Price Spokesman of National Security Council the White HouseFederal authorities will continue to assist the ongoing investigation into this horrific shooting Price said Earlier Obama spoke by phone with Florida Governor Rick Scott and Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief following the tragic loss of life in the incidentMonitoring the terrible situation in Florida Just spoke to Governor Scott Thoughts and prayers for all Stay safe US Presidentelect Donald Trump said in a tweet Hundreds of people were standing on the tarmac as dozens of police cars and ambulances rushed to the scenePolice received a call just before 1300 local time 2330 IST yesterday about shots fired at Terminal Drive Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said in a tweet Im at the Ft Lauderdale Airport Shots have been fired Everyone is runningA Miami TV station tweeted footage claiming to be frominside the baggage terminal The video shows several injured people lying on the floor as witnesses shout for medical help Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief told CNN that the shooter acted alone and there is no evidence of a partnerAt this time we do not have a motive but we are actively investigating that she said Florida Governor Rick Scott wrote on social media I am on my way to Fort Lauderdale International Airport to be briefed by law enforcementThe shooter was very skinny He seemed to be very young He was just letting himself be dragged by the police It was scary an eyewitness said More than 325 departure and 325 arrival flights come in and out of the Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport in a day according to the airports website Over 73000 travellers are at the airport on a daily basisAccording to Pentagon suspect Santiago was recipient of several medals including one Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Police said he arrived at the airport with a checked gun After he claimed his bag he took the gun from bagThereafter he went into the bathroom to load it Santiago started shooting as he came out of the bathroom His brother was quoted as saying in the local press that Santiago was receiving psychological treatment while living in AlaskaOur hearts ache for those killed in this senseless attack and we pray for the swift recovery of all who were wounded No words can replace the loss of loved ones No moments of silence can quiet the voices across America calling for action said Nancy Pelosi the House Minority Leader