Teenager with Gun Subdued by Passengers While Attempting to Board Jetstar Plane
Authorities are investigating an incident in which a 17-year-old allegedly boarded a Jetstar flight armed with a shotgun and ammunition, causing panic among passengers. The event unfolded at Avalon Airport, located outside Melbourne, where law enforcement responded to the security breach at approximately 2:50 PM on Thursday.
The suspect, now in custody, was reportedly subdued by a passenger inside the aircraft. No injuries were reported. Witness accounts indicate that the teenager, dressed in high-visibility clothing, was initially mistaken for an airport maintenance worker. He allegedly entered the facility through a hole in the airport fence before proceeding up the boarding staircase and onto the plane, which was preparing for departure to Sydney with 160 passengers on board.
Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Reid confirmed that three passengers assisted in detaining the suspect. "As he approached the plane, he climbed the front stairs. At that point, passengers identified that the individual was carrying a firearm," Reid stated. "The male was overpowered by at least three passengers, and police arrived shortly afterward to take him into custody."
Authorities discovered ammunition in addition to the shotgun but did not confirm reports suggesting the presence of other weapons or incendiary materials. It remains unclear whether the firearm was legally registered. "This is an extremely concerning breach of security," Reid emphasized. "The fact that an individual could gain unauthorized access to an aircraft while armed is a matter of serious concern."
The teenager’s vehicle has been located, and counter-terrorism teams have been consulted as part of the ongoing investigation. Police confirmed that the suspect was not previously known to law enforcement, and as of the latest updates, formal charges had yet to be filed.
One of the passengers involved in subduing the suspect, Barry Clark, who was seated in 1C, described his actions during the incident. "The flight attendant was questioning the individual when he became agitated, and suddenly, a shotgun appeared," Clark stated. "I pushed the flight attendant aside, secured the firearm, threw it down the stairs, and restrained the individual until police arrived."
Another passenger, Kim McLeod, who was traveling for work, recounted the moment the situation unfolded. "We had just boarded when we heard a commotion at the front of the cabin. People started filming, and then the pilot announced that someone had boarded with a large gun," McLeod said. "It became clear that it was a serious security breach when we learned the individual had posed as a maintenance worker."
Following the incident, all passengers disembarked, and the airport was placed on lockdown. Avalon Airport CEO Ari Suss confirmed that the facility was temporarily closed while authorities conducted their investigation. Jetstar, the only commercial airline operating at Avalon Airport, released a statement affirming that they were working with police and airport officials to determine how the breach occurred. "The safety of our passengers and crew is our number one priority, and we can confirm that there were no reported injuries," the airline stated.
The incident has raised concerns over airport security protocols, prompting authorities to assess potential lapses that allowed the teenager to gain access to the aircraft. Investigations remain ongoing, with law enforcement and aviation security officials reviewing measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
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