It is already a deathly start to 2017 with the amount of violence that has already ensued. It was approximately 1 p.m. on Friday, the 6th, when Esteban Santiago opened fire on innocent victims at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. It is uncertain as to why Santiago had chosen that specific airport, 4000 miles from his home in Alaska, for his course of action.

A 26-year-old security guard from Anchorage, Santiago had previously lived in Puerto Rico, where he had joined the National Guard and served for 9 years. It wasn’t until after his 9-month tour in Iraq that people started to realize a change in his personality.

Records show repeated confrontations with law enforcement in Alaska. Approximately one year ago, Santiago was arrested after an argument with his girlfriend and was charged with assault and criminal mischief. He had tried to strangle her and hit her on the side of the head.

His family members admit that they noticed changes in his personality. He had visions often, many in which included destruction and the killing of children. He was distant from his family over the past few months and communication with his brother ended about one month ago.

Santiago’s neighbors theorize that seasonal affective disorders due to the limited sunlight in Alaska could be a cause of his increased erratic behavior. Additionally, others speculate that post-traumatic stress disorder could be a result from the time spend in Iraq. Belief of substance abuse and alcoholism are other notions that neighbors view to be significant in considering Santiago’s mental state.

In November, Santiago went to the FBI office in Anchorage and told them that he was being controlled by a U.S. intelligence agency. After received a mental health evaluation, they deemed him clear and returned his handgun that they had previously confiscated.

On the day of the deadly incident, Santiago had followed the correct protocol by the Transportation Security Administration to travel with his gun. He then loaded his gun inside a bathroom stall and carried it in his waistband. He was calm as he walked through the baggage claim and became to open fire on the innocent bystanders. After emptying two clips, he dropped the gun and allowed the police to arrest him without resistance.

The events calls to question a controversial idea: could this act of violence have been avoided? It is apparent that Santiago’s change in personality had been recognized by his family and friends, yet there is little evidence that others sought to find help for him. He had ceased contact with family few months prior, yet not much proof shows that they continued to reach out after he stopped communication. He had warned the FBI that he was being controlled by a U.S. intelligence agency, yet they continued to give his gun back after passing the mental health evaluation, despite previous concern of terrorism ideals.

Far too often, psychological problems are overlooked by loved ones. School shootings, movie theatre shootings, airport shootings — all events that could have, quite possibly, been avoided with proper realization of changed behaviors. It isn’t until after an incident occurs that people realize key factors that could have been helped and stopped in order to alter the intended outcome.

Violence is becoming too prominent in today’s society. It is so beyond important to pay attention to differences in behavior and attitude by your friends and family. Showing the least bit of concern and aid might be all that is needed in order to stop a very harmful and disastrous situation from occurring.