Family of accused airport shooter's girlfriend speaks

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The girlfriend of the man accused in the Fort Lauderdale airport shooting has avoided reporters, but her eldest daughter said Monday the family is grieving for the five killed and six others wounded.

"My deepest condolences to the innocent people who lost their lives and/or were injured," Robyn Peterson, the 18-year-old daughter of Gina Peterson, wrote in a statement released Monday night. "My heart's warmest sincerity to their families, friends, and my mother, brother and sisters."

Gina Peterson, 40, lived with Esteban Santiago in a small Anchorage apartment since last year. Santiago faces federal charges in the Friday shooting at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Peterson has declined media interviews since the shooting and posted a "no trespassing" sign outside her apartment Saturday. She and Santiago had a baby boy in September. Each of the family member's names are posted on a mailbox outside the apartment.

Robyn Peterson, who runs the Pinkeys Up nail salon about 35 minutes south of Anchorage, said in an interview Monday her mother hasn't worked since 2014. She declined to discuss specifics about her mother's relationship with Santiago, issuing the statement instead.

"From all the Petersons, we hope that all of the victims of this see justice," she wrote, not mentioning Santiago or the shooting specifically. "We will be asking for more privacy while we mourn."

Robyn Peterson is the eldest of four daughters that Gina Peterson had from a previous marriage. William Peterson, her ex-husband who court records show has custody of the children, declined to comment Monday when reached at his Birdhouse Garage auto repair store, which is next door to his daughter's nail salon.

Gina Peterson called police in January 2016 after she said Santiago attacked her, court records show. She told police she locked herself in the bathroom of their apartment during an argument. Santiago screamed at her, hit her in the head and grabbed her by the throat, according to court records about the incident.

Santiago was charged with criminal mischief, and was told to stay away from the apartment and Peterson while the charge was pending. He was arrested again in February after police found him living at the apartment with Peterson.

Prosecutors agreed in March not to pursue the charge if Santiago stayed out of trouble.