Calgary police temporarily shut down the International Terminal Building at the Calgary airport yesterday afternoon after a musician’s instrument from local amateur kids orchestra was mistaken for a rifle.
According to police, someone called the police to report a possible active shooter in the airport at approximately 1:45 p.m, just before the orchestra was about to perform.
After an investigation, the Calgary Police reported that a band was playing at the airport, and there was no threat.
A video posted to Twitter by user Mike Nishizaki showed the panic that followed.
Three officers are seen in the video running down a corridor shouting at travellers, “back, back, back, now!”
The video then shows the camera back running down the hallway. A person is heard on the video saying “I think there’s a shooter.”
The video has since been removed from Twitter, but is available via Globe news:
The performance was part of an expanded music program with in-terminal performances by local talent launched this past July.
“Our promise is to create elevated experiences for our guests, and our music program will leave a lasting memory on visitors through YYC for many years to come, “ said Michael Hayward, Vice-President of Marketing and Guest Experience of The Calgary Airport Authority in a press release statement announcing the initiative in July 2018.