Canberra Airport shooting: Police arrest alleged gunman in the terminal

Hundreds of terrified passengers have been evacuated from Canberra Airport after a gunman allegedly opened fire inside the terminal.

Initial reports indicate gunshots were heard from the lower concourse at about 1.30pm on Sunday afternoon with witnesses reporting hearing between eight to 10 shots. 

Over a dozen police vehicles have been stationed outside the airport with armed officers from the Australian Federal Police standing guard outside. 

ACT Police confirmed one person had been arrested and a gun was found.

‘CCTV has been reviewed and at this time the person in custody is believed to be the only person responsible for this incident,’ police said in a statement.

‘The Canberra Airport terminal was evacuated as a precaution and the situation at the airport is contained.

‘ACT Policing requires members of the public to not attend the airport at this time.

‘There have been no reported injuries.

‘ACT Policing have taken carriage of the incident and a further update will be provided later today.’

A video taken from inside the terminal showed a man being pinned down by a police officer with what looked like a gun nearby. 

The video showed another police officer rushing to the scene before the man was handcuffed and led away.  

Video from inside the terminal shows Australian Federal Police officers putting a suspect in handcuffs as alarms are heard overhead (pictured)

Flights in and out of Canberra have been grounded with passengers on the tarmac asked to wait before disembarking from planes.

Images from the concourse show four bullet holes in three windows with the shooter alleged to have fired several times into the glass overhead.  

Journalist Louise Milligan tweeted that she was in the Qantas Lounge when she and her fellow passengers were asked to evacuate. 

‘OK yes, apparently gunfire. We are all outside now and police are questioning people about what they saw and heard,’ she said. 

A police spokeswoman confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that there had been an incident at the airport (pictured, a plane lands in Canberra)

‘They’re checking inside the terminal to make sure it is OK.’

Police were seen taking statements from witnesses as hundreds crowd outside the airport after the terminal was declared a crime scene and cordoned-off.  

ABC journalist Dan Bourchier said passengers were waiting on the tarmac as AFP officers conduct a ‘security sweep’ of the airport. 

He said his pilot told grounded travellers police were treating the area as a crime scene and that people were being prevented from entering. 

More to come. 

Over a dozen police vehicles are stationed outside the airport with AFP officers guarding the outside of the building