The man identified as the methodical shooter behind Friday"s "heinous" attack in the baggage area of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, served in the U.S. military in Iraq and earned 11 awards, including the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jesse Stalder confirmed Esteban Santiago"s service record and the awards he earned in a email to Patch on Friday night.
According to Stalder, Santiago served from December 2007 to August 2016 and earned the awards during his time in the Puerto Rico National Guard and the Alaska National Guard. The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal recognizes members of the military who have performed service in the war on terror between Sept. 11, 2001 and a date not yet determined.
His military service as a combat engineer paints a very different image of Santiago than the person who walked into the FBI"s Anchorage office in November and demonstrated such "erratic" behavior that agents turned him over to local authorities for a mental health evaluation.
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