Canberra: Gunfire was heard in a Canberra airport check-in crowd on Sunday afternoon, prompting the building to be evacuated and one person arrested.
According to ACT Policing, a call was received at the airport at around 1.30 pm. Reports of shots fired inside the main terminal building. They claimed that a firearm was found and a person was taken into custody. There were no reported injuries.
In an airport video, a man is being detained by police as passengers watch from other areas of the terminal.
Passenger Alison, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed she had put her bag through security at the time of the incident.
“When the first shot was fired, we were under protection. When I turned, there was a man standing there, what appeared to be a small pistol and facing the car drop-off, he recalled.
Someone shouted "Get down, get down," and we immediately fled the area.
According to Detective Acting Superintendent Dave Craft, the man entered the departure area of Canberra airport around 1:30 p.m., sat next to glass windows for about five minutes, then "removed a shotgun from his possession" and started shooting.
He claimed that the man whom he believed was acting alone, fired about five rounds. He is currently being held at the Canberra City Police Station and is due to appear in court on Monday.
At a press conference on Sunday afternoon, he said, "It is our understanding that the men arrived at the airport and have not gone through any flight screening process. We have no information to suggest that.
From what I understand, the man opened fire on the terminal's window; No shots were fired at any of the passengers.
We don't think there were many weapons at that time.
According to police, the situation was under control after the terminal was evacuated as a precaution. When people arrived to pick up the passengers, airline staff informed them that anyone who was on the plane when the building was vacated was being kept on board. The police had requested that the general public refrain from going to the airport.
Local Canberran Lorraine Haase claimed she had left for Melbourne at 1.15pm on a "really full" Virgin flight.
She told the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that "[we] were sitting down, about to take off when the captain came out and announced that there had been an incident with a shooter at the airport."
He said the airport has been closed and it will probably take some time for us to leave.
He remembered his exact words as a "major security incident." Although the aircraft was still grounded by 2 p.m., the passengers were composed, had "absolutely zero panic", and the crew was giving updates.
According to Haase, by 2.20 pm the passengers were informed that the shooter had been apprehended and that no one suffered any life-threatening injuries.
Around 3.30 pm, five aircraft were on the tarmac. With passengers who, according to airport staff, will be able to disembark soon. The route of incoming flights has been changed.
According to Virgin Australia, four flights from Canberra to Sydney and Melbourne were canceled and affected passengers were given seats on another flight that day. Counseling has reportedly been provided to the affected employees.
An airport representative declined to comment, saying it was a police matter.
The Australian Federal Police informed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of the incident, the arrest and the fact that "no current threat" still existed.
ACT Senator Katy Gallagher tweeted that she was "shocked" to learn of the shooting.
"Our neighborhood airport is a big part of the Canberra community, and I'm sure everyone at Canberra airport this afternoon was in awe. We sincerely appreciate the first responders for ensuring everyone's safety.
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