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Horrific video has shown screaming passengers hiding behind luggage at a Florida airport moments after a gunman went on a rampage killing five people.

The clip shows bewildered passengers in the baggage claim area at Fort Lauderdale Airport today.

Many of the people in the area can be heard crying as they try to absorb the shocking scenes that had unfolded while they had looked for their suitcases.

"The casings went flying all around us," one woman says as she walks towards the camera apparently in shock.

Many people are still on the floor in the clip, crouching behind luggage.

However, one person appeared to be shot and bleeding heavily as she lay on the ground.

Witnesses have described how "everyone" started running as the gunman opened fire at the popular airport.

At least nine people were struck during the terrifying incident, officials say.

(Image: Twitter/BirSoze)

The suspect has reportedly since been taking into custody. They are not thought to be the reported fatality, although this remains unconfirmed.

Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer tweeted this afternoon: "I'm at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. Shots have been fired. Everyone is running."

Mark Lea, a financial adviser from Minneapolis, was in the baggage claim when, he said, a man came in and started shooting.

“I was dodging bullets and trying to help people get out of the way,” the 53-year-old said.

“At first we thought it was firecrackers. Everyone started screaming and running. The shooter made his way down through baggage claim.

“He had what looked like a 9mm and emptied his entire clip. People were trying to run.”

Lea said police responded in less than a minute after the shooting began.

Once the gunman was out of bullets, “he was gunned down by police,” he added.

“It was absolutely surreal,” he said. “People were scared and frantically running to avoid being shot. People were tripping over each other. They were trying to make a fast exit out of the door.”