The man authorities say shot dead five people and injured eight others at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport Friday afternoon reportedly was a member of the U.S. Army National Guard and has a criminal record including a domestic violence rap.
Esteban Santiago — identified as the gunman who opened fire in the baggage claim of the busy Florida terminal — was a native of New Jersey, but from 2014 to 2016 had lived in Anchorage, Alaska.
That's where court records show he was charged with one count of fourth-degree assault and another for damage of property over $50 in January 2016, according to The Daily Beast.
Both charges were related to domestic violence, an Anchorage Police spokesperson told the website.
Santiago was also reportedly slapped with several traffic violations including driving without insurance and having a broken taillight. And records show he was evicted from his apartment for non-payment of rent in February 2015.
The Daily Beast says the case was resolved when Santiago pled to a "deferred prosecution agreement" in exchange for keeping his nose clean.
Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca wrote on his Facebook page that the shooter was a passenger on a Canadian flight with a checked gun.
"He claimed his bag and took the gun from baggage and went into the bathroom to load it," LaMarca said.
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