Passengers and Crew Foil Armed Teen at Australian Airport
A 17-year-old armed with a shotgun managed to board a plane at Avalon Airport in Victoria, Australia, before being restrained by a pilot and two passengers, authorities said Friday. The suspect, who entered the airport by climbing through a security fence, was subdued before police arrived.
Barry Clark, one of the passengers who tackled the teen, recounted the tense moments leading up to the confrontation. The boy, posing as a maintenance worker, became agitated when questioned by a flight attendant at the aircraft’s entrance.
“I saw the barrel of a shotgun and knew something was wrong,” Clark told local media. He quickly intervened, pushing the gun aside to protect the flight attendant before subduing the suspect with the help of the pilot and another passenger.
Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Reid praised the passengers’ quick actions, describing the incident as “terrifying” but commending those who stepped in to prevent harm. The Jetstar Airways flight, carrying about 150 passengers, was canceled following the event.
The suspect faces multiple charges, including unlawfully taking control of an aircraft, orchestrating a bomb hoax, and firearm possession. Authorities have not classified the case as terrorism-related but are conducting a thorough investigation into the suspect’s motives.
Avalon Airport has since tightened its security measures, with officials promising a comprehensive review to prevent similar breaches in the future.