Shooting at FLL Terminal 2
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Guns are very common in checked baggage out of ANC in my experience.
Years ago a jumpseating cargo pilot fired a round into the American Airlines ticket counter at ANC while trying to show that his firearm was unloaded. Don't know if he still got the ride.
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The suspect showed up several months ago at the FBI office in Anchorage, law enforcement officials told CNN. He was interviewed and said he was hearing voices in his head, including some telling him to join ISIS. He was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation, the officials said. He voluntarily checked himself in, the officials explained
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The planes sat on the runway for the past 5 or so hours have had issues with running out of food & water, full loos that needed draining, not enough fuel to reach their original destinations so will need refuelling and so on. There are also issues with infants running out of formula and a diabetic needing substantial meal (or an ambulance will be needed). There's also the issue that the pilots aren't receiving much information (to pass onto the passengers).
The pilot is the person in charge of the plane, and the passengers, so hypothetically in this scenario can the pilot allow the passengers to disembark? I'm not saying it would be the best idea, just wondering.
The pilot is the person in charge of the plane, and the passengers, so hypothetically in this scenario can the pilot allow the passengers to disembark? I'm not saying it would be the best idea, just wondering.
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This article raises a possible air rage angle and gives the suspect's rap sheet history of traffic tickets, domestic violence, kiddie porn and non-payment of rent.
Police: Suspected Gunman Got Into An Argument During Flight
January 6, 2017 5:20 PM
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) — Federal law enforcement sources said the suspected gunman in a deadly attack at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport got into an argument during his flight from Alaska to Florida.
They’re now investigating whether that’s what set off a shooting rampage that left 5 dead and 8 others wounded.
Esteban Santiago-Ruiz, 26, took a flight from Alaska to Florida Friday with a stop in Minnesota, officials said. Somewhere along the way, he got into an argument.
Passengers are legally allowed to travel with guns and ammunition as long as the firearms are unloaded, secured in a lock box and not brought on board the plane as a carry-on. They must be declared to the airline at check-in.
Earlier reports claimed Santiago-Ruiz came in on a flight from Canada. On the company’s Twitter account, Air Canada confirmed that no one by that name was on their flight.
Air Canada flights arrive to Terminal 2, where the shooting took place.
It was later determined that Santiago-Ruiz was on a Delta Air Lines flight.
Police were able to apprehend the suspect without having to fire their own weapons when he apparently ran out of bullets. Witnesses said he threw down his firearm and laid down on the floor.
Santiago-Ruiz was born to Puerto Rican parents in New Jersey and recently became a father of a baby boy.
According to the Associated Press, the Pentagon said he went AWOL several times as a specialist during a stint with the Alaska National Guard and was demoted to private first class. He was given a general discharge, which is different from an honorable discharge.
In November 2016, he walked into an FBI office in Anchorage claiming that he was being forced to fight for ISIS and was sent to a psychiatric hospital, officials revealed.
In 2011 or 2012, he was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations for child porn. Three weapons and a computer were seized, but there was not enough evidence to prosecute, according to law enforcement sources.
Santiago also has a record for minor traffic violations and was evicted in 2015 for not paying rent.
He wasn’t hurt in the incident and no one else was taken into custody.
January 6, 2017 5:20 PM
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) — Federal law enforcement sources said the suspected gunman in a deadly attack at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport got into an argument during his flight from Alaska to Florida.
They’re now investigating whether that’s what set off a shooting rampage that left 5 dead and 8 others wounded.
Esteban Santiago-Ruiz, 26, took a flight from Alaska to Florida Friday with a stop in Minnesota, officials said. Somewhere along the way, he got into an argument.
Passengers are legally allowed to travel with guns and ammunition as long as the firearms are unloaded, secured in a lock box and not brought on board the plane as a carry-on. They must be declared to the airline at check-in.
Earlier reports claimed Santiago-Ruiz came in on a flight from Canada. On the company’s Twitter account, Air Canada confirmed that no one by that name was on their flight.
Air Canada flights arrive to Terminal 2, where the shooting took place.
It was later determined that Santiago-Ruiz was on a Delta Air Lines flight.
Police were able to apprehend the suspect without having to fire their own weapons when he apparently ran out of bullets. Witnesses said he threw down his firearm and laid down on the floor.
Santiago-Ruiz was born to Puerto Rican parents in New Jersey and recently became a father of a baby boy.
According to the Associated Press, the Pentagon said he went AWOL several times as a specialist during a stint with the Alaska National Guard and was demoted to private first class. He was given a general discharge, which is different from an honorable discharge.
In November 2016, he walked into an FBI office in Anchorage claiming that he was being forced to fight for ISIS and was sent to a psychiatric hospital, officials revealed.
In 2011 or 2012, he was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations for child porn. Three weapons and a computer were seized, but there was not enough evidence to prosecute, according to law enforcement sources.
Santiago also has a record for minor traffic violations and was evicted in 2015 for not paying rent.
He wasn’t hurt in the incident and no one else was taken into custody.
The planes sat on the runway for the past 5 or so hours have had issues with running out of food & water, full loos that needed draining, not enough fuel to reach their original destinations so will need refuelling and so on. There are also issues with infants running out of formula and a diabetic needing substantial meal (or an ambulance will be needed). There's also the issue that the pilots aren't receiving much information (to pass onto the passengers).
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The FBI should've put him on a flying watch list. The guy came to them, fully showing he had issues. He never should've been allowed to have a weapon, much less be allowed to check one in coming to the lower 48, with psychiatric issues. This is where the system fails, time and time again.
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Yep! The "privacy" laws counteract the "security" laws, so psychiatric deficits are NOT reported and entered into the NICS database. Therefore, a nutcase can still buy guns.
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Nowadays most states (including Alaska) have laws mandating inclusion of relevant psychiatric records into the federal database. As such the NICS database contains millions of mental health records.
However, federal laws only bar those with very severe mental illnesses from purchasing guns -- specifically those who have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution, or otherwise declared by a court or other authority as being "mentally defect".
Only a handful of states have additional restrictions, and Alaska isn't one of them. Even in Seattle, you can check yourself into a mental hospital on Monday, then buy a handgun on Tuesday.
In this case it's not clear if the alleged shooter was involuntarily committed after he approached the FBI back in November. Besides, Alaska doesn't require background checks for all gun purchases.
It is interesting that quite a few of these "mass shooters" have had relatively recent FBI / Homeland Security involvement.
However, federal laws only bar those with very severe mental illnesses from purchasing guns -- specifically those who have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution, or otherwise declared by a court or other authority as being "mentally defect".
Only a handful of states have additional restrictions, and Alaska isn't one of them. Even in Seattle, you can check yourself into a mental hospital on Monday, then buy a handgun on Tuesday.
In this case it's not clear if the alleged shooter was involuntarily committed after he approached the FBI back in November. Besides, Alaska doesn't require background checks for all gun purchases.
It is interesting that quite a few of these "mass shooters" have had relatively recent FBI / Homeland Security involvement.
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He declared the weapon at origin and complied with the packaging requirement. Ammunition and magazines may be carried in the same locked container as the gun. It seems that after recovering the lawfully packaged weapon from the baggage claim, he went to the restroom, removed it from his now claimed baggage, loaded it and came out firing soon after. It was only when he used the gun that he committed a serious unlawful act.
So it won't be long before the calls for a ban on the practice of legally transporting a firearm in checked baggage. Won't do a bit of good. For every precaution taken, there are several other ways to achieve the same or worse outcome by another route.
So it won't be long before the calls for a ban on the practice of legally transporting a firearm in checked baggage. Won't do a bit of good. For every precaution taken, there are several other ways to achieve the same or worse outcome by another route.
Last edited by westhawk; 7th Jan 2017 at 09:08.
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Being allowed to check in a firearm is one thing but ALSO allowing ammunition for the firearm is another.
I'm quite shocked to hear that this is allowed.
Surely it would be common sense to not allow live ammunition on domestic flights.
I'm quite shocked to hear that this is allowed.
Surely it would be common sense to not allow live ammunition on domestic flights.
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As the baggage reclaim areas at many US airports are 'land side' restricting what can be carried in checked baggage would make no sense. Someone can just walk off the street, legally loaded to bear, and do their worse.
Putting baggage claim 'air side' would make no sense either as pax would have access to naughty things in their checked luggage.
Redesigning every US airport to put baggage claim between the two won't happen.
Putting baggage claim 'air side' would make no sense either as pax would have access to naughty things in their checked luggage.
Redesigning every US airport to put baggage claim between the two won't happen.
Goodness gracious gentlemen
Surely this is about a young man who is possibly schitzophrenic asking for help who then uses a legally held gun to kill fellow citizens. What is needed is better mental health care to treat his illness. What diagnosis was made? What treatment was given? Yes it would be sensible to withhold gun licenses from people with ongoing mental health issues but he could have used a knife as others have done so many times in the UK... It is nothing to do with airports or gun carriage. He could just as easily have run amok in a cinema or mall......like others have
I suspect he will be incarcerated for 100 years or so rather than being given treatment. And the killing will go on. Mental health isnt sexy. Either side of the pond
Surely this is about a young man who is possibly schitzophrenic asking for help who then uses a legally held gun to kill fellow citizens. What is needed is better mental health care to treat his illness. What diagnosis was made? What treatment was given? Yes it would be sensible to withhold gun licenses from people with ongoing mental health issues but he could have used a knife as others have done so many times in the UK... It is nothing to do with airports or gun carriage. He could just as easily have run amok in a cinema or mall......like others have
I suspect he will be incarcerated for 100 years or so rather than being given treatment. And the killing will go on. Mental health isnt sexy. Either side of the pond
Surely it would be common sense to not allow live ammunition on domestic flights.
From an air safety perspective, I'm more concerned by electronic devices and their batteries. Small quantities of packaged small arms ammo is unlikely to become a serious safety hazard .
From a security perspective, there's not much to stop armed perpetrators from simply entering the terminal from the street side. This crime occurred outside the security perimeter, where most airports should be considered relatively soft targets. Perhaps similar to shopping malls in terms of access control, though usually superior in terms of police response.
I think the pertinent question might be how much security do we desire and what will we trade for it?
Thank you, Homonculus.
Having had to deal with someone who has mental health issues, until we drag this social taboo subject out in the open and collectively deal with it, these preventable, senseless acts will continue whether by gun, knife, or flying a perfectly good airplane into a mountain.
Having had to deal with someone who has mental health issues, until we drag this social taboo subject out in the open and collectively deal with it, these preventable, senseless acts will continue whether by gun, knife, or flying a perfectly good airplane into a mountain.
When I'm not sitting at the front playing with the controls, I have been know to do a bit of shooting, long range rifle competitions. I have flown to a fair few competitions in far away places, the procedures vary, but, in general, collecting a firearm straight off the luggage belt is normal. In times past they used to put a big red "FIREARM" tag on the transit case. For reasons unknown the procedure for ammunition seems to vary greatly, some places don't like it in the same case, some don't care. One flight (some years ago) the captain didn't like the idea of the ammo in the same case in the hold as the rifle, so they offloaded it, and made me extract the ammo and bring it as cabin baggage, I kid you not.
I have been known to stand right at the far end of the conveyor, just so the entire flight gets to gawp at it as it slides past.
The reality is, that while seeing it making it's way around the baggage conveyor is odd, once you step through the customs gate, you are out there in the foyer with the rest of the locals who may be carrying handguns, or not, and certainly out in the street a few metres away, it's situation normal. Going into an airport, yes, its a sterile area, coming out, it is not.
I have been known to stand right at the far end of the conveyor, just so the entire flight gets to gawp at it as it slides past.
The reality is, that while seeing it making it's way around the baggage conveyor is odd, once you step through the customs gate, you are out there in the foyer with the rest of the locals who may be carrying handguns, or not, and certainly out in the street a few metres away, it's situation normal. Going into an airport, yes, its a sterile area, coming out, it is not.
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PaperHanger: I have not checked a firearm on a flight in 10+ years, but the check in procedure was what usually freaked out other passengers more, as we would have to get the weapon out of the case and prove it was unloaded right there in the terminal counter. Needless to say, there were many with an alarmed expression on their faces as I pulled an AR15 out of a case and racked the bolt.
Has anything changed significantly in the last 10 years?
Has anything changed significantly in the last 10 years?