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Deputies 'vigilant' at Palm Beach International

Some flights to Fort Lauderdale have been diverted
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The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is making itself visible at Palm Beach International Airport in the wake of the shooting Friday at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.

K-9 officers are at the airport to ensure the safety of the public.

The sheriff’s office say deputies are being "vigilant."

Some flights to Fort Lauderdale have been diverted to PBI.

Steve and Linda Potter were scheduled to arrive in Fort Lauderdale on a flight from LaGuardia Airport. They were diverted to PBIA. They expressed sadness about the shooting and called the incident ‘scary.’

If you are flying, you are urged to check with your airline to make sure your flight has not been canceled or delayed.

Passengers Diverted to PBIA React to Shooting

In this day of instant news and social media, everyone at Palm Beach International Airport was well aware of what happened at the Fort Lauderdale airport.

Passenger Robert Taylor travels often to that airport.

"I travel to that airport two or three times a week, so I'm in the area where the shooting took place. So, we think, 'wow, what now.' It's alarming."

He said his plane was about to land when the pilot announced a change in course. 

"They came on and said we are going to be diverted," said Taylor.

In addition to the many deputies, on Friday there were K-9s visible to the thousands of passengers who suddenly found themselves at PBIA.

The sheriff's office would not share details of extra security, but said the heightened presence will remain. 

"These were human beings. Life is so precious and so short that you just don't know," said traveler Steve Potter.