Backpack saved me: US shooting survivor

Army veteran opens fire at airport, 5 dead

Washington, Jan. 7: A man had a narrow shave after a bullet hit his backpack and pierced his laptop during the shooting rampage at Fort Lauderdale International Airport late Friday.

An Iraq war veteran opened fire at Fort Lauderdale’s main airport, a major tourist hub in Florida, killing five people and injuring eight, as panicked travelers fled for safety.

Steve Frappier dove to the ground to escape the gunfire. A bullet hit his backpack, damaging a laptop that was inside, he told CNN. “The backpack saved my life,” he said.

“I felt something hit my back. It was only later when I went to the bathroom to check myself out that the bullet had entered my backpack, hit my laptop and then later when I gave my backpack over to the FBI for investigation they found the bullet in the pocket of my backpack,” Frappier told CNN.

He said he had quickly stuffed his laptop into his bag, leaving it open while disembarking from his flight earlier.

Meanwhile, the suspect, identified by police as 26-year-old Esteban Santiago, was in custody and being questioned by the FBI over the shooting.

Santiago who had been treated for mental health issues, drew a gun from his checked luggage on arrival at the busy airport and opened fire in the baggage claim area, authorities said. His motive was not immediately known. — Agencies

Passengers take cover as first responders secure the area outside the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airport after a shooting

STEVE FRAPPIER dove to the ground to escape the gunfire. Amid the chaos, a bullet hit his backpack, damaging a laptop that was inside. The bullet hit through the open backpack.