Fresh witnesses sought in airport shooting

Police are calling for more witnesses of the Canberra Airport shooting to come forward to help explain the bizarre incident.

A man remains in custody after firing several shots into the roof of the airport from inside the terminal building on Sunday, 14 August.

Australian Federal Police said they believe those who were there and saw what occurred could help fill gaps in their investigation.

“While many witness statements have been gathered, investigators believe there are people who were in or around the Canberra Airport check-in area in the lead-up to, and during the shooting who have not yet spoken to police,” the statement said.

Five gunshots were fired outside the security checkpoint in the main terminal building about 1.30pm last Sunday, taking several hours for airport operations to return to normal.

A 63-year-old NSW man was charged with firearm offences following the incident and has been denied bail.

Police said the man had not been firing at people and no shots were directed at passengers or staff.

The bullets hit a number of glass panes but did not break them.

Hundreds of passengers in the airport at the time were left terrified when they heard the shots and were swept up in the resulting chaos.

One man who was waiting for his son at the airport said he heard the bullets ring out above him.

“I saw the glass falling down and I thought maybe the glass had exploded,” he told NCA Newswire

“Everyone ran for their lives.

“I didn’t think it was a bullet at first. Then I heard everyone running and I ran.”

Police are focusing on anyone who had family members or friends that used the airport early Sunday afternoon and witnessed any suspicious behaviour, asking them to contact police if they have not already done so.

“A similar call is being put out to any travellers from interstate who used the airport around that time, who have since returned home, to speak to police if they witnessed anything relevant to the shooting,” a police statement said.