'I heard loud popping noises in Toronto airport - then police stormed in and we were evacuated'
Panicked passengers and visitors to Toronto Pearson Airport revealed they heard gunshots coming from inside the building - police later said a person had been shot, but no cops were injured
People inside Toronto Pearson Airport have revealed the moment they heard "popping noises" inside the building before police shot a man.
Panicked passengers and visitors to the airport said they heard gunshots shortly before 7am this morning before they were told to leave. Armed police swarmed the building before putting the airport on lockdown. People were seen abandoning their luggage and racing for vehicles outside. Peel police later confirmed a man inside the Canadian airport had been shot in Terminal 1 and that officers involved were not injured. Chris Rind, a visitor to the airport, revealed the moment he heard the sound of gunshots ringing inside the building.
He told Canadian network CP24 that he heard "loud popping noises" coming from inside the building. He said the noises had caught nearby security officials off guard.
Witness Kevin McLaughlin also told local news that there were "lots of cops" when he got out of the airport at about 7:30am. He added: "When we rolled in, it was just weird. There was a lot of flashing lights...There was something going on."
Ontario police said Highway 409 to Terminal 1 Departures had been closed as part of a police investigation and have since urged drivers to avoid the area. Peel paramedics also said they were "actively responding" to an incident at the airport.
"Due to a Peel Police investigation outside Terminal 1 departures, passengers and vehicles are being rerouted to enter and exit through T1 arrivals," Pearson Airport said. "We will provide updates throughout the morning."
The Toronto Transit Commission said the 900 Airport Express bus is detouring via Terminal 3 due to ongoing "police activity." Investigators have since been dispatched to the airport and are set to release more details about what happened as they emerge.
People have been encouraged to check with the airport regarding flights in and out of the area. The incident caused a lot of discussion among people who were unsure about what had happened at the airport.
"Anyone know what's going on at Pearson airport? Dozen police cars & rifles out?" one user wrote on X. Another said: "Just heard Pearson T1 is now locked down. Dozens of people abandoning their Ubers (and now being turned back). Anyone know what's up?"
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