Home » News » “Everyone was calm but that’s starting to change”: Gunshots shut down Canberra Airport

15 August, 2022

“Everyone was calm but that’s starting to change”: Gunshots shut down Canberra Airport

Canberra Airport was evacuated and temporarily shut down yesterday afternoon after a man allegedly fired multiple rounds inside the airport.

A 63-year-old NSW man arrived at the airport at 1:20pm and sat down near the southern check-in desks on the first floor before drawing a firearm and deploying a number of shots into windows of the building, according to police.

Passengers rang 000 and AFP Airport Police who were stationed within the airport terminal apprehended the man.

The airport was evacuated and ACT Policing and AFP Airport Police secured the area and confirmed the man was working alone after reviewing CCTV footage.

He was transported to the ACT Watch House and an investigation has commenced.

Nobody was injured during the incident, however several passengers took to Twitter to complain about being forced to wait outside in the cold.

“Everyone was calm but that’s starting to change,” 4Corners reporter, Louise Milligan, said on Twitter.

“Babies are screaming, there are no toilets and it is freezing. People stuck outside in the bitter Canberra cold are starting to get upset and wonder why we can’t go inside since the gunman is in custody.”

In a later reply to comments on her post, Milligan said she was at the airport for 7.5 hours before being able to catch her plane, but noted that things could have been much worse.

“Thank goodness they got him before something terrible happened,” she said.

ABC Radio presenter, Fran Kelly was also at the airport and posted updates to Twitter noting a “heavy police presence”.

“We are still waiting outside at Canberra airport. It’s freezing and there are little kids and older people who could be at risk from the cold,” she Tweeted.

“It’s time the police let people huddle inside the airport now not outside. It’s been hours and the alleged gunman is not here anymore.”

At around 6pm, Kelly said people were finally allowed inside the airport and said she was “struck by how calm people stayed throughout this horrible event”.

Kelly said initial reports indicated that three gunshots were fired on the lower concourse causing people to flee upstairs.

Kelly also managed to capture a photo of a window at the airport with bullet holes in it.

“See the damage caused to these windows by 3 gunshots fired at Canberra airport near check-in,” Kelly tweeted.

“Airport evacuated and big AFP presence as they sweep the entire terminal and interview the alleged shooter.”

See the damage caused to these windows by 3 gunshots fired at Canberra airport near check-in. Airport evacuated and big AFP presence as they sweep the entire terminal and interview the alleged shooter. pic.twitter.com/AdlOf3FWvd
— Fran Kelly (@frankelly08) August 14, 2022

Multiple flights were cancelled or delayed, and police reported there were aircraft with passengers onboard that remained on the airfield.

According to police, Canberra Airport returned to normal operations at about 5.00pm, with flights resuming shortly afterwards.

The man was set to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court this morning and will face charges of discharging a firearm at a building, unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a firearm near a person causing alarm.

ACT Policing is urging any witnesses who haven’t already spoken to police to call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 and quote reference 7187298.

Featured image: Twitter/@Milliganreports

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airport airport security canberra airport gunshots police