Calgary Airport active shooter scare a false alarm
Part of Calgary International Airport was closed after a musical instrument was mistaken for a rifle, sparking an active shooter scare.
Police placed the airport on lockdown and passengers were evacuated yesterday.
However, officers later confirmed there was no active gunman inside the airport and said the suspected rifle was believed to be a musical instrument.
It was not immediately clear which musical instrument caused the chaos.
Police confirmed they responded to a call from the airport ‘with regards to a possible disturbance involving a weapon in the terminal,’ but later reassured travelers that no shooter had been found.
A police spokesperson confirmed there was nothing to suggest there was ever a gun, but said there was a band at the airport at the time, so it’s likely whoever thought they saw a rifle actually saw one of their instruments.
Flights were delayed and travelers who had already been screened at Customs had to be re-screened, impacting about 200 passengers, Calgary Airport Authority spokesperson Reid Fiest said.
"Ultimately what matters here is safety — that is our first priority here," he added.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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