FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - Four out of of six people who sustained gunshot wounds during Friday’s shooting rampage at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport have been released from the hospital this weekend, officials said.
Officials said two patients are listed in critical condition and three others remain in good condition at Broward Health Medical Center, one day after, authorities said, a gunman opened fire and killed five other travelers in a baggage claim area at Terminal 2.
Ambulances began arriving at Broward Health Medical Center in a steady stream, Friday, at around 1:30 p.m. The hospital staff tended to six gunshot victims, including two who went straight into surgery, and more than 20 others who were hurt while trying to run away.
Broward Health CEO Mark Sprada praised first responders and hospital staff for going above and beyond the call of duty. “It was like an organized symphony,” he said. “We didn’t miss a hiccup, and we accommodated all of the shooting victims, as well as the nearly 30 medical patients that came from the airport.”
“It looked like chaos, but it was controlled,” Dr. Guarneri said. “No one who arrived at the hospital has expired. They are all in the hospital, doing as best as we can do right now.”
Ambulances continued arriving to the hospital throughout the afternoon.
Officials said 54 patients in total were brought to BHMC. The majority of those patients suffered minor health issues, such as twisted ankles, chest pains and heat exhaustion. Nine patients were admitted, and six of those had sustained gunshot wounds.
Speaking with reporters, Florida Gov. Rick Scott said he spoke with some of the patients and their loved ones. “I talked to a family that said the hospital provided outstanding surgery, and they feel comfortable that they’ll get back to normal,” he said.
Eric Kasper arrived at FLL from Ohio for a work retreat just before the gunshots rang out. He shot cellphone video as thousands ran onto the tarmac for safety.
“It was crazy,” Kasper said.
After abandoning their luggage in the airport, some of Kasper’s colleagues went to the hospital to refill their prescriptions.
“Escaped out of the back of the airport under the fence, and there were cops and guns everywhere,” Kasper said.
The situation took a dangerous turn for Ronnie Coutu, a Type 1 diabetic whose plane stayed on the tarmac for more than seven hours after arriving from Raleigh.
“We were getting restless, and they were getting nervous. They were getting scared,” Coutu said. “I had some complications, which easily were resolved by food, so thankfully I could do that when I came here.”
BSO said two people were transported to Memorial Regional in Hollywood with minor injuries.
Scott also took the opportunity to thank the staff at Broward Health’s trauma center.
“We train for this. It’s what we do,” said Sprada.
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