Wed, Jul 15, 2026
Wed, Jul 15, 2026
UPDATED; Fort Lauderdale airport shooting: Five people shot dead by Florida gunman
(BBC)“Multiple people” have been shot dead by a lone gunman at Fort Lauderdale airport in Florida, say officials.
The airport said there was an “ongoing incident” at the baggage claim area in Terminal 2.
There were five people dead and one person in custody, Broward Sheriff’s office said in a tweet.
Hundreds of people were standing on the tarmac as dozens of police cars and ambulances rushed to the scene.
Eight people have been injured and were taken to local hospitals, Sheriff Scott Israel said on Twitter.
Police received a call just before 1300 local time (1800 GMT) about shots fired at Terminal Drive.
Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said in a tweet: “I’m at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. Shots have been fired. Everyone is running.”
A witness told MSNBC that the gunman was a “slender man’ who was wearing a Star Wars T-shirt.
The gunman, who appeared to be in his 20s, did not speak and was shot by police as he attempted to reload, John Schlicher said.
He added that his mother-in-law administered first aid to someone who had been shot in the head.
A Miami TV station tweeted footage claiming to be filmed from inside the baggage terminal.
The video shows several injured people laying on the floor, as witnesses shout for medical help.
A witness told NBC News the gunman was shot by police less than a minute after the shooting began.
“He was gunned down by police,” Mark Lea from Minneapolis told the network. “It was absolutely surreal.”
“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.”
Florida Governor Rick Scott is travelling to the airport to be briefed by law enforcement.
Federal aviation authorities issued a “ground stop” notice, barring flights from leaving or entering the airport.
President-elect Donald Trump tweeted that he is “monitoring the terrible situation in Florida” and that he has spoken to the Florida governor.
“Thoughts and prayers for all. Stay safe!” he added.
Fort Lauderdale is a major tourist hub in the greater Miami area.
Nearby Miami International Airport announced that “extra security measures” have been put in place “out of an abundance of caution”.