Here’s something you don’t hear every day — a teenager with a gun managed to sneak onto a plane in Australia, only to be stopped by some brave passengers and crew. It all went down on Thursday, March 6, at Avalon Airport in Victoria.
According to the police, it started around 2:20 p.m. when a 17-year-old boy broke through a security fence and made his way onto the tarmac. Before anyone knew it, he climbed the front stairs of a Jetstar flight, carrying a shotgun. That’s when passengers realized something was seriously wrong.
Without wasting a second, three quick-thinking passengers jumped into action. They tackled the teen, got the gun away from him, and pinned him down until the police arrived. Thanks to their courage, no one on the flight was hurt.
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Barry Clark, one of the passengers who helped take the boy down, described the terrifying moment. Speaking on ABC Radio Melbourne, he said the teen was dressed like an airport worker in high-visibility gear, which helped him blend in. “He got agitated, and before we knew it, a shotgun appeared,” Clark said. Worried the situation could turn deadly, Clark and the others wrestled the gun away, threw it down the stairs, and held the boy until authorities showed up.
The police later found two bags and a car linked to the teen, and the Bomb Response Unit was called in as a precaution. Thankfully, nothing dangerous was found in the bags. Authorities have confirmed there’s no ongoing threat to the community.
The teen is currently in police custody and is expected to face several state and federal charges. However, police have clarified they aren’t treating this as a terrorism-related incident.
Jetstar Airways released a statement saying they’re fully cooperating with the investigation and thanked the passengers and crew for their quick response. “The safety of our passengers and crew is our number one priority, and we’re grateful to those who helped manage the situation,” the airline said.
It’s a shocking story, but thanks to the bravery and fast thinking of those on board, everyone made it out safe.
