By McKenzie Ivie, Copy Editor
http://www.jrshuttle.com/fort-lauderdale-airport-shuttle.htm
On January 6th, a member of the Alaska Army National Guard, Esteban Santiago, sent the Fort Lauderdale airport into chaos when he pulled out a 9 mm handgun. He then began shooting at the innocent citizens in the terminal. The reports of the shooting called for 5 dead and 6 injured. Many others were left running and searching for cover from the fire, only to become victims of broken bones, as well as sprains and bruises. The suspect had but only one bag in the baggage claim that was checked in and ready to be pulled off of the belt, only with a weapon and a plan to harm others.
Why didn’t this look suspicious to officials? The suspect also reported to having a mental evaluation a few months before, after a “bizarre visit to the FBI.” After being discharged from the National Guard, Santiago was directed to a mental evaluation on account that he told the FBI that he was hearing voices that were telling him to watch ISIS videos. While in the National Guard for 9 years he had taken a 10 month tour of Iraq. When he returned from Iraq his family members felt as if he had an altered mindset. His aunt, Maria Ruiz Rivera, confessed that, “His mind was not right. He seemed normal at times but other times he seemed lost. He changed.” Clearly he was changed, completely.
Best wishes to the families of the victims, as well as those who were harmed from the remains.
Why didn’t this look suspicious to officials? The suspect also reported to having a mental evaluation a few months before, after a “bizarre visit to the FBI.” After being discharged from the National Guard, Santiago was directed to a mental evaluation on account that he told the FBI that he was hearing voices that were telling him to watch ISIS videos. While in the National Guard for 9 years he had taken a 10 month tour of Iraq. When he returned from Iraq his family members felt as if he had an altered mindset. His aunt, Maria Ruiz Rivera, confessed that, “His mind was not right. He seemed normal at times but other times he seemed lost. He changed.” Clearly he was changed, completely.
Best wishes to the families of the victims, as well as those who were harmed from the remains.