Teenager armed with gun overpowered by passengers aboard flight

Police in Australia have charged a 17-year-old after he attempted to board a plane at Avalon Airport, near Melbourne, carrying a shotgun and ammunition. The incident, which occurred on Thursday afternoon, caused significant alarm as the aircraft was preparing for takeoff with 160 passengers onboard, bound for Sydney.

Authorities believe the teenager breached airport security by scaling a fence to reach the tarmac before making his way up the front steps of the aircraft. As he approached the plane, the suspect was tackled to the ground by passengers and crew members near the front door, preventing any potential harm. The quick action of the passengers ensured the situation was contained before the flight took off.

The 17-year-old, who has not been publicly identified, was taken into police custody and is facing multiple charges, including unlawfully taking control of an aircraft, endangering the safety of the flight, and creating a bomb hoax. Victoria Police confirmed that a bomb specialist was called in to investigate a car and two bags found nearby, although no explosives were discovered.

Footage from Australian outlet 7News showed the tense moments when the suspect was restrained. A passenger is seen holding the teen down, while a ground crew member and a pilot removed a utility belt containing tools carried by the suspect. The pilot can be seen kicking the shotgun away from the teenager, who was wearing a fluorescent jacket, a common uniform for airport staff.

One person onboard the flight was heard expressing disbelief, saying, “How is this possible?” as the chaotic scene unfolded. According to police, the teenager, who hails from the nearby Ballarat area, was overpowered by at least three passengers. Superintendent Michael Reid of Victoria Police commended the bravery of those involved in subduing the suspect, calling their actions “heroic.”

Reid confirmed that at least three passengers overpowered the male suspect, who was visibly carrying the weapon as he boarded the plane. While the situation was deeply unsettling, Reid stressed that it was too early to determine a motive. Investigators were in contact with counterterrorism police to evaluate the full scope of the incident.

Barry Clark, one of the passengers on the flight, described the scene, stating that the suspect appeared agitated and dressed like an airport worker. Clark recalled how he acted swiftly to disarm the teen, saying, “All I could do was get the gun out of the way… and then put him in a hold and throw him to the ground until the police came.”

No injuries were reported, and the flight, which was operated by Jetstar, a budget airline serving Avalon Airport, was delayed but not cancelled. Jetstar expressed gratitude to the passengers who assisted the crew in managing the crisis, acknowledging that the incident would have been distressing for everyone involved. The airline confirmed that it was cooperating with authorities in their investigation.

Avalon Airport, which is primarily serviced by Jetstar, resumed operations shortly after the event, and its CEO, Ari Suss, stated that the facility had reopened following the resolution of the security situation.

This terrifying incident highlights the importance of vigilance and quick thinking during potential security threats. Authorities are continuing to investigate the motives behind the teenager’s actions as the legal process unfolds.