Suspected Florida Airport Shooter Appears in Court, Held Without Bond

Esteban Santiago, the suspected gunman who killed five people in the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in the US state of Florida on Friday, appeared in court for the first time and is being held without bond, the US Department of Justice said in a press release on Monday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The release noted Santiago faces multiple federal charges, including "performing an act of violence against a person at an airport… causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm.

"Esteban Santiago Ruiz (Santiago) had his initial appearance before US Magistrate Judge Alicia O. Valle this morning in Fort Lauderdale, Florida," the release stated. "Santiago is being temporarily detained without bond."

The maximum penalty for the charges against Santiago are death or life in prison.

The accused will return to court for a detention hearing on January 17.