Esteban Santiago-Ruiz (Santiago) appeared today before
United States District Judge Beth Bloom, and pled 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.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the
Southern District of Florida, Robert Lasky, Special Agent in Charge, Federal
Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Miami Field Office, and Scott Israel, Sheriff,
Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BSO), made the announcement.
“Today the man responsible for the horrific, devastating,
and tragic attack on numerous innocent people at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport was
held accountable for his crimes,” stated Benjamin G. Greenberg. “Although this conviction cannot restore the
lives lost or forever changed by his egregious acts of violence, it shows our
unwavering and united commitment to seeking justice for the victims. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law
enforcement partners are resolute in our dedication to combatting all forms of
violent crime and protecting all residents and visitors of our South Florida
community.”
“On January 6, 2017, Esteban Santiago-Ruiz committed a
mass-shooting when he pulled out a handgun and started shooting inside the
terminal of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, killing five
people and seriously wounding six more,” said Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in
Charge, FBI Miami. “Santiago is now
being held accountable for this senseless and cowardly act of violence.”
“When the active killer fired indiscriminately in the
baggage claim area on that fateful day, lives were lost and other lives were
forever changed by his heartless, violent actions,” Sheriff Scott Israel said.
“I commend the work of our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Department of
Justice that led to today’s outcome. I can only hope that the resolution of
this case brings some peace to the affected families.”
Santiago pled guilty to five counts of committing acts of
violence at an international airport causing death (Counts 1-5) and six counts
of committing acts of violence at an international airport causing serious
bodily injury (Counts 6-11), all in violation of Title 18, United States Code,
Section 37(a)(1).
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. 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. The FBI investigated the case
along with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Santiago is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Bloom in
Miami on August 17, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.
Santiago faces a sentence of up to life in prison on each of Counts 1-5,
and up to twenty years in prison on each of Counts 6-11.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative assistance of FBI
and BSO in this matter. This case is
being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ricardo A. Del Toro and
Lawrence D. LaVecchio.
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