Chaos erupts at Sydney Airport after police firearm discharged during arrest; here’s what happened next

A chaotic scene unfolded at the Sydney Airport on Wednesday morning (August 13, 2025) after a police firearm was discharged as federal police officers tried to arrest a man inside a domestic terminal. Following the incident, an investigation was launched, and the man was arrested.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed the man had been arrested. "An investigation into the incident has been launched ... and there is no ongoing threat to the public," a spokesperson said, as quoted by ABC News. "Further comment will be provided at an appropriate time," the spokesperson further stated. A part of the T2 terminal was cordoned off as a crime scene.

Sydney Airport, in a statement, said it was assisting the AFP following the incident. "No injuries occurred as a result of the incident. An arrest has been made, and the airport is operating normally," it said, as quoted by ABC News.


Sydney radio station 2GB shared the footage from the scene on social media. In the footage, an individual was seen on the ground, close to the cafe serving and dining areas, being restrained by at least three others. A man was heard shouting in the video; an armed police officer was also visible in the footage, assisting in the restraint of the individual. Sources told 2BG radio that the man allegedly made attempts to snatch an AFP officer’s firearm during a struggle.

Eyewitnesses recall the incident

An eyewitness at the scene said that the man in question “went for the gun.” A passenger, who refused to be identified, told the ABC he saw "people running" as the gun went off. "I heard the shouting; I didn't see what incited it, but he went for the gun," he said. "When they hit the ground, the gun went off. It looked like the bullet hit the wall of that cafe there." There were a lot of cops, people running, and Jetstar staff ushering people away."

Another man, Ross, arrived at the airport about an hour after the arrest. He said he first learned of the incident when he arrived at the international terminal after a flight from Vietnam. "I got a text message from a friend in Cairns, and he said, 'You might not be coming home,'" Ross said. "Downstairs when I checked in [at the domestic terminal], it was a bit busy, but as soon as I got up here, I thought, 'Oh well, I'd forgotten all about it.'"