Esteban Santiago Ruiz, Airport Shooting, Florida 2017

Airport Shooting

Esteban Santiago Ruiz, a 26-year-old Iraq War veteran, has been charged with federal crimes in connection with the January 6, 2017 shooting at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Santiago Ruiz is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear before a federal judge on January 17, 2017. He is charged with one count of performing an act of violence against a person at an airport serving international civil aviation that caused serious bodily injury, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 37(a)(1).

He is also charged with using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A), and causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm in the course of a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c), in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(j).

The charges carry a maximum penalty of death or imprisonment for life or any term of years. According to the criminal complaint, Santiago Ruiz was present in the Terminal 2 baggage claim area of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on January 6, 2017, when he pulled out a handgun and started shooting at his victims’ heads until he was out of ammunition.

Santiago Ruiz killed five people and wounded six more before being confronted by a Broward County Sheriff’s Office deputy and dropping his handgun on the ground. He was arrested by BSO deputies and is currently being held without bond.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ricardo A. Del Toro with assistance from Department of Justice Trial Attorney Larry Schneider.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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