Video shows BSO dog attacking woman shortly after airport shooting

Attorney for Ketara Smoot files intent to sue BSO for negligence

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Newly obtained video shows a woman being attacked by a Broward Sheriff's Office K-9 deputy in the aftermath of last month's Fort Lauderdale airport shooting that left five people dead.

The video shows Ketara Smoot, a manager for State Farm Insurance, being mauled by the dog outside the baggage claim area of Terminal 2 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

Smoot was running with her mother from what she believed may have been another shooter and sought refuge in an unoccupied and unlocked BSO Chevrolet Tahoe, her attorney, David Gold, told Local 10 News.

According to the BSO incident report, the vehicle was emblazoned with the words "Caution Work Dog" on it when she opened the door, unaware that Loki, a German shepherd, was inside.

Ketara Smoot's attorney says she suffered serious injuries to her arm, hip and face in the Jan. 6 dog attack.

Smoot told Local 10 News that she instinctively ran toward the SUV during the shooting, not knowing if another shooter was on the loose.

"My only thought was, I didn't want to be another person to die that day," Smoot said.

She said her mother had a difficult time running, so she thought stopping at the SUV was the safe thing to do.

"I just remember vehemently screaming, 'They're shooting. They're shooting. I've got to get my mom,'" Smoot said.

Smoot said she heard bystanders yelling for her to play dead, but no one initially offered her any help.

"I'm thinking, 'I'm not going to die from a gunshot wound. I'm going to die because I'm literally going to bleed out from this dog attacking me,'" Smoot said.

Smoot's mother, Sharon Miller, is seen on the video calling for help, but she referred all questions to Gold.

The attorney said Smoot suffered serious injuries to her arm, hip and face in the Jan. 6 attack and has yet to return to work in her home state of Georgia.

"I just felt helpless," Smoot said.

Gold said he has filed an intent to sue the BSO, alleging negligence for failing to secure the vehicle before the deputy left.

The BSO did not provide a statement about the pending lawsuit, instead referencing the report, which indicated that Smoot apologized for opening the door, saying she didn't read the warning in her panic.


About the Authors:

Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor. She is now a general assignment reporter. Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home, Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a United States senator on Capitol Hill.