Accused Of Ft Lauderdale Shooting Pleads Not Guilty

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Esteban Santiago, accused of being the author of the tragic shooting that occurred at the Fort Lauderdale airport on January 6 in which five people died, pleaded not guilty in a hearing conducted in federal court on Monday.

According to CNN, the accused pleaded not guilty to the 22 charges against him that were read to him by Judge Barry Seltzer during the legal proceedings.

Seltzer explained to the defendant that if the trial determines his guilt on the more serious charges he faces, the 26-year-old could face a life sentence or even capital punishment.

Some of the charges that Santiago, of Puerto Rican origin, faces are using a gun in a crime, violence against people at an airport, and causing the death of people with a firearm.

During his first statements to the authorities in charge of the investigation, the suspect claimed that he heard voices in his head and that his mind was controlled by the CIA.

Then, in subsequent statements to the FBI, the young man changed his version and assured that his act had been inspired by ISIS after being in contact with followers of the fundamentalist group through chats.

Days after the deadly shooting, a shocking video was revealed showing the exact moment that Santiago unsheathes his weapon and shoots indiscriminately at the people around him, causing immediate panic among those who were at the air terminal.