The man is alleged to have arrived at the southern check-in area on Canberra Airport’s first floor and proceeded to sit on the nearby seats sometime around 1:20pm yesterday afternoon.
Police report that he drew his firearm five minutes later, firing several shots into the windows but was quickly apprehended by Australian Federal Police who were stationed at the airport.
Nobody was injured or harmed in the incident and Canberra Airport was quickly evacuated by police who later confirmed that the man acted alone.
He was later taken to the ACT Watch House and charged with discharging a firearm at a building, unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a firearm near a person causing alarm.
An investigation has been opened into the motives behind the incident and the man will appear in the ACT Magistrates Court this morning where he will be refused bail.
https://twitter.com/dragon_of_time_/status/1558733239254192129
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
Several eyewitnesses detailed what happened including ABC reporter Lily Thomson who said she heard shots fired and saw people running.
“I saw this grandma with a baby and the fear in her face and I knew it was something serious,” she said.
“So we all ran and I stayed with that grandma and her baby and hid behind an information desk. We stayed there for a couple of minutes until security told us to evacuate out to the car park.
“Everyone was hiding behind chairs and people were running. It was terrifying.”
More details to come.
