Accused FLL Shooter Deemed Competent, Will Plead Guilty

A man accused of killing five people at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in January, 2017, has been ruled mentally competent, clearing the way for him to plead guilty.

Earlier this month, Esteban Santiago agreed to plead guilty if prosecutors would refrain from seeking the death penalty.

According to an indictment, Santiago flew from Alaska to Fort Lauderdale with a 9 mm handgun in a box he put in checked luggage. After landing, he retrieved and loaded the weapon in a bathroom and came out firing randomly until he ran out of ammunition.

Since his arrest, Santiago has been treated at a Miami jail for schizophrenia, but his lawyers said he is mentally fit for trial. 

A trial is scheduled to begin on June 11.


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