Fort Lauderdale Shooting: Suspect Carried Gun In Checked Luggage, Five Dead

UPDATED: FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017 — 3:50 PM EST

The suspect who opened fire in a Fort Lauderdale airport was a passenger on a Canadian flight with a checked bag that held a gun, the Associated Press reports.

The gunman claimed the bag, went into the bathroom and loaded the gun before killing five and wounding at least eight Friday afternoon. Law enforcement did not fire any shots when taking the suspect into custody.

A passenger in the airport told Fox News he heard the first gunshots as he was picking up his luggage from baggage claim.

From AP:

John Schilcher told Fox News the person next to him fell to the ground Friday. He says other people started falling, and he then dropped to the ground with his wife and mother-in-law. Schilcher says “the firing just went on and on.”

He says the shooter emptied his weapon and reloaded during an eerily quiet lull in the gunfire. Schilcher says he didn’t assume it was safe until he saw a police officer standing over him at the Fort Lauderdale international airport.

He says he remained on the ground and was told not to move as authorities investigated unconfirmed reports of a second shooting.

Authorities were not able to confirm a second shooting at the airport.

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EARLIER

Multiple people were shot Friday afternoon when a lone gunman in Florida opened fire at the Fort Lauderdale- Hollywood International Airport, the Associated Press reports.

According to authorities, five of the victims are dead. At least 12 people were shot, Broward County Sheriff’s office confirmed with PEOPLE.

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The shooting occurred in Terminal 2 outside of the baggage area. Police have confirmed that the suspect is in custody.

“We have no evidence at this time that he was acting with anyone else. He is currently in custody and we’re investigating,” Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief told CNN.

This is a developing story.