Man arrested after firing shots in departure area at Canberra Airport

Australian police are investigating after a man fired gun shots in the departures area at Canberra airport (CBR), causing the airport to close temporarily and sending passengers running for cover.  

In a statement broadcast on Australian media, Australian Capital Territory (ACT) police said the male entered the airport, sat down in the departures area and after around five minutes fired approximately five rounds at glass windows in the terminal building.  

The incident occurred at approximately 1.30pm local time (0330 UTC) on August 14, 2022, police said.  

Bullet holes and cracked glass in windows at Canberra airport, following reports of gunshots earlier this afternoon @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/RDYa3nCWhV

— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) August 14, 2022

Officers arrested the man and secured the firearm. “There were no injuries,” detective acting superintendent Dave Craft said. “There were no shots fired at people.”  

About 1:30pm today police were called to the Canberra Airport following reports of gunshots in the main terminal building. Shortly after, one person was taken into custody and a firearm was recovered. There is no immediate threat to public safety. Details: https://t.co/Eh4iLDeMwY pic.twitter.com/8LmZXycgCG

— ACT Policing (@ACTPolicing) August 14, 2022

The Sydney Morning Herald spoke to a passenger who was at the airport at the time. The passenger, Alison, said she was at the security check when the incident occurred. 

“We were in security and heard the first gunshots. I turned around and there was a man standing with a pistol, like a small one, facing out towards the car drop-off,” she told the paper. “Someone yelled get down, get down and we just ran out of there.” 

ACT Policing said they believe the man acted alone and that he fired the shots before going through any airport security check. They do not have any indication of motive for the incident.  

The airport, which serves Australia’s capital, reopened several hours later.