Fort Lauderdale Airport Shooting
There has been an unprecedented rise in gun violence in the United States in the past few years. In 2016, the number of shootings rose dramatically, and it doesn’t look like this violence is going to get much better in 2017.
While countless people hope for good things to come in the New Year, thousands of people had their hopes squashed, thanks to a gunman who went on a shooting spree in a Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in the first week of 2017. His violent shooting spree lead to the murder of five people, injured many others, and left thousands of other people mentally and emotionally scarred; and the rest of the nation – and the world – reeling.
Twenty-six-year-old Esteban Santiago was taken into custody for the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport shooting spree. According to a top Miami criminal defense lawyer, Santiago will very likely be facing murder charges for the five people that were killed at the hands of his gun. Furthermore, Santiago could be facing even more criminal charges, including assault, weapons offenses, and attempted murder. The case against Santiago can also be brought into federal court by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
It is not against the law to carry a firearm in your luggage, so long as that firearm is locked and unloaded. Also, it is legal to possess the firearm in the state that you departed from, and the state that you were arriving in; however, as per Florida law, airport terminals are off completely off limits. The state of Florida has banned the licensed carry of all weapons inside an airport terminal, making Florida one of the most restrictive states in the country for carrying a firearm in an airport terminal.
Because of his actions, Santiago is expected to serve a life term jail sentence, in addition to extensive fees and other legal implications. If there is any good that can come of this horrific case, perhaps it will further open the eyes to lawmakers and urge a greater push for improving policies regarding gun control in the United States.
You may contact Stroleny Law, P.A. by calling, (305) 615-1285.
View more contact information here: Miami Criminal Defense Lawyer.