Dozens of police cars and ambulances are said to have rushed to the scene.

A former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, who was at the scene tweeted: "I'm at the Ft. Lauderdale Airport. Shots have been fired. Everyone is running."

A witness, John Schlicher, told MSNBC that the gunman was a "slender man", who may be in his 20s, was wearing a Star Wars T-shirt.

The gunman identified as Esteban Santiago was shot by police as he attempted to reload, Schlicher said.

He added that his mother-in-law administered first aid to someone who was shot in the head.