Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared Friday's shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport that killed five people "a senseless act of evil" — and said that some of the eight victims who were injured were "fighting for their lives."
"We are going to hold whoever did this accountable," the two-term Republican told reporters at an airport news conference. "The citizens of Florida will not tolerate senseless acts of evil.
"We have five individuals who lost their lives," Scott added. "We still have people fighting for their lives in our hospitals.
"Whoever is responsible will be held accountable to the full extent of the law."
A gunman, identified in news reports as Esteban Santiago, 26, opened fire in the lower-level baggage claim area of Terminal 2 shortly before 1 p.m.
He reportedly checked a handgun in his luggage and then retrieved it at the baggage claim before loading the weapon a bathroom then came out randomly shooting.
Scott praised law enforcement personnel for their quick response to the attack.
"Sheriff Israel has done an outstanding job," he said, referring to Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel. "The FBI. Everybody involved has done an outstanding job."
Scott added that he has talked with President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence "a few times" to keep them updated on the situation.
He has not, however, discussed the attack with President Barack Obama, nor has he heard from the president.
"I have a personal relationship with Vice President-elect Pence and President-elect Trump — and I reached out."
However, Scott later told reporters that President Obama did telephone him and "he said his prayers are with everybody impacted, anything I need to give him a call.
"I appreciate that both President Obama and President-elect Trump called and Vice President-elect Pence called," he said. "When something like this happens, you know you have the support of the federal government."
Regarding the injured, Scott said that "the biggest thing to do is pray for them.
"We went through Pulse," he added, referring to last June's shooting at the Orlando nightclub that killed 49 and injured 53.
"The biggest thing is to pray for those, the individuals who ended up in the hospital," Scott said. "Pray that every one of them survives."
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