Shooting at Canberra Airport allegedly evacuated hundreds of travellers

A shooter reportedly opened fire at Canberra Airport, evacuating hundreds of panicked passengers.

Gunshots were heard in the main terminal building around 1.30pm on Sunday, and witnesses were instructed to ‘get down’ and ‘run’.

ACT Police said a man was detained and a gun was found.

Detective acting superintendent David Craft told reporters police had ‘no notion’ of the gunman’s motive.

He claimed the guy sat in the departures area on level 2 before shooting five bullets through the terminal’s glass panes.

Detective Craft said the individual didn’t target passengers or workers and didn’t pass flight screening.

‘I simply need to reassure people that the airport is secure, that ACT Policing have reacted, and there is no continuing danger to the community or to incoming and leaving travellers,’ he added.

Police are working to secure the airport and enable passengers to exit from approaching aircraft.

Canberra Airport tweeted before 4pm that staff was working with the AFP and airline partners to restore flights.

If you’re flying today, call your airline. The message said several flights were cancelled or postponed.

Police have studied CCTV and think the guy in custody is the sole one responsible for the incident.

As a precaution, the Canberra Airport terminal was evacuated.

ACT Policing asks the public to avoid the airport.

No injuries reported.

ACT Policing will offer an update later today.

A terminal video showed a police officer pinning down a guy with a pistol nearby.

The guy was handcuffed and brought away before another officer arrived.

The suspected shooter is in jail in Canberra and will be charged Sunday.

Social media images show bullet holes in concourse windows, and sources say the suspected gunman shot numerous times.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the airport was secure after being told by the AFP.

‘A guy has been caught and there is no continuing danger,’ he tweeted Sunday afternoon.

Finance Minister Katy Gallagher was shocked.

‘Our local airport is so essential to Canberra, it must have been scary for everyone @CanberraAirport today,’ she wrote.

Louise Milligan tweeted that she and other passengers were evacuated from the Qantas Lounge.

OK, gunshots. We’re all outside and cops are asking witnesses,’ she added.

“They’re examining the terminal’s inside”

Other witnesses heard ‘get down’ or ‘run’.

Hundreds gathered outside the airport after it was roped off as a crime scene.

ABC reporter Dan Bourchier reported passengers are waiting on the tarmac as AFP police perform a’security sweep’

His pilot informed him authorities were treating the area as a crime scene and preventing entry.

Following claims of a gunman, other passengers resorted to social media.

“Stuck on a tarmac jet when a gunman is at Canberra airport…what the f***?” one tweet

ABC reporter Lily Thomson ran and hid behind an information desk before being ordered to leave.

It was scary. We were clueless. She claimed people’s looks were scary.

Inbound and outgoing flights should resume by Sunday afternoon, police added.