The gunman responsible for yesterday’s Canberra Airport shooting has been arrested and charged with firearms offenses.
Canberra Airport was evacuated on Sunday afternoon (August 14), after around five gunshots were fired inside the terminal, leaving bullet holes in the windows. Authorities have since arrested the 63-year-old gunman from NSW, and charged him with firearms offenses.
Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, as none of the shots were aimed at any individuals. Now that the sole perpetrator has been taken into custody, and no additional threats have been identified, Canberra Airport has reopened to the public since around 5:00pm yesterday.
The Australian Federal Police released the following statement: “About 1:30pm today (Sunday 14 August 2022) 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.”
They continued, “CCTV has been reviewed and at this time the person in custody is believed to be the only person responsible for this incident. The Canberra Airport Terminal was evacuated as a precaution and the situation at the Airport is contained.”
Shooting incident and evacuation at Canberra Airport, say Australian Federal Police.
One person taken into custody & a firearm was recovered. CCTV reviewed and at this time the person in custody is believed to be the only person responsible for this incident: Police pic.twitter.com/zvAyx34g4u
— ANI (@ANI) August 14, 2022
The NSW gunman responsible for the incident will be facing the ACT Magistrates Court today, under the charges of “discharging a firearm at a building, unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a firearm near a person causing alarm.”
According to ACT Policing’s Detective acting Superintendent, Dave Craft, the perpetrator had not undergone any security screenings before carrying out the shooting, and no motive for the crime has been identified as of yet.
