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Florida airport shooting suspect says he was 'inspired' by IS

January 18, 2017

The man accused of shooting five people dead and injuring six others at a Florida airport has confessed that he was under the influence of Islamic State terror group, agency reports said.

The accused had earlier blamed his action on 'government mind control', but later accepted that he was 'inspired by IS websites and chatrooms'.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent Michael Ferlazzo testified at a bond hearing that 26-year-old Esteban Santiago mentioned after the shooting that 'his mind was under some kind of government control'.

However, later during the interrogation, he claimed to have been inspired by Islamic State-related chatrooms and websites.

It is not yet clear if the FBI has been able to corroborate any terror-related claims.

Santiago could be sentenced to death if convicted of federal airport violence and firearms charges that resulted in death. -- Agencies

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