Hero bystander reveals split-second move that stopped Sydney airport gun incident turning into a disaster

A hero ex-cop has recalled how he and a mate raced in to help restrain a man who allegedly tried to grab an Australian Federal Police officer’s firearm during a dramatic arrest at Sydney Airport. 

Witnesses say two officers quickly wrestled the man to the ground before the gun discharged during the struggle in Terminal T2 early Wednesday – plunging the airport into lockdown.

Among the bystanders was William, an ex-NSW Police dog handler who was at the airport to board a flight to Townsville with his mate, an off-duty sergeant.

The pair’s instincts kicked in when they saw the unfolding altercation. 

‘We saw this fellow struggling with the two AFP officers. It’s gone to the ground,’ William told 2GB morning host Mark Levy.

‘The AFP officer’s long firearm has gone to the ground and was underneath the fellow. 

‘As we went to restrain him, the shot has been discharged.

‘I applied a wrist lock to lock his left wrist up, my colleague locked up his right hand, and eventually handcuffs were applied.

‘You just do, when these things happen, you don’t really think about it.’

He didn’t hesitate when asked if the public was at risk.

‘Certainly,’ William replied.

‘It was about a metre and a half away from a coffee shop.

‘The terminal was full of people.

‘The AFP did a good job, as they always do, and as we do in Australia.’

The man, who is yet to be identified, was filmed shouting expletives as officers pinned him to the floor. 

No one was injured, and the airport confirmed flights continued as normal.

‘Sydney Airport is currently assisting Australian Federal Police following an incident earlier this morning,’ a spokesperson said. 

‘An arrest has been made and the airport is operating normally.’

The incident happened directly outside Veloce Espresso in Terminal T2. 

‘We heard the bang at about 6am and didn’t know what it was at first. But when we realised it was a gunshot, it gave us a big fright – I was very frightened,’ a worker told the Daily Mail. 

‘Luckily, the airport was very quiet at that time and most of the shops here weren’t open yet. We were just opening up.

‘Everyone remained calm and we just stayed inside the shop.’

A second witness told Radio 2GB they were at the other side of the coffee shop when the gun went off, describing the ‘loud’ noise.

‘Everyone hit the deck… I think it was a police gun. I think it was fired during the initial struggle,’ they said.

AFP officers have set up a crime scene and launched an investigation, but say there is no ongoing threat to the public. 

Former NSW Police Detective Superintendent Robert Critchlow told Sunrise the incident was ‘extremely rare’ given the heavy security and training officers receive.

‘They carry both pistols and long arms like rifles,’ he said. 

‘A lot of training is dedicated to keeping hold of those weapons. 

‘The holsters are designed with multiple safety features to stop someone taking them, and long arms are strapped to the body and connected to the officer’s vest.’

Mr Critchlow said it’s ‘almost impossible’ to remove a firearm from the wrong angle, but in a physical struggle, anything can happen.

‘If a gun goes off, someone can get hurt. We’re very lucky no one was injured here. This appears to be a horrible but rare occurrence,’ he said. 

Investigations continue.