Teen Sneaks Onto Australian Flight With Gun, Tackled by Brave Passengers

A terrifying situation unfolded at Australia’s Avalon Airport when a 17-year-old managed to sneak onto a plane with a gun before being tackled by quick-thinking passengers.

The teen allegedly breached a security fence and made his way onto the tarmac before boarding a Jetstar flight on Thursday, March 6. According to Victoria Police, officers were called to the airport around 2:20 p.m. local time after reports of an armed individual on board.

Passengers immediately noticed something was off when the boy, dressed in high-visibility workwear similar to airport staff, started behaving erratically. Flight crew began questioning him, and before anyone could react, he revealed a shotgun. That’s when passengers jumped into action.

Barry Clark, one of the brave individuals who took the teen down, described the intense moment on ABC Radio Melbourne. “He got agitated, and before we knew it, a shotgun appeared. I was worried he’d start shooting, so I just grabbed the gun and threw it down the stairs. Then, I got him in a hold and pinned him until police arrived.”

Three passengers in total worked together to subdue the teen, who was later taken into custody by law enforcement. Authorities also searched his belongings, discovering two bags and a vehicle linked to him. The Bomb Response Unit was called in as a precaution, but police later confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the public.

Thankfully, no one was injured during the incident. Police say the teen is expected to face both federal and state charges, though they are not treating the case as a terror-related event.

Jetstar Airways issued a statement expressing gratitude to the passengers who stepped in. “The safety of our passengers and crew is our number one priority. We sincerely appreciate those who assisted our team in managing this situation.”

As authorities continue their investigation, this shocking security breach raises major questions about airport safety. One thing is clear—if not for the bravery of those onboard, the outcome could have been far worse.