A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in Australia after boarding a commercial aircraft with a loaded shotgun, police have stated.
The teenager was overpowered and detained by crew and passengers following the incident at Avalon Airport, approximately 60km (37 miles) from Melbourne, on Thursday, according to Victoria Police.
None of the roughly 160 passengers and crew on the Jetstar Airways plane were injured.
Police have charged the teen with eight offenses, including endangering the safe operation of an aircraft and possession of a firearm.
During the teen’s appearance at a juvenile court on Friday, police alleged that he had planted a fake homemade explosive and threatened passengers and crew, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Reid stated that the teen was overpowered by several passengers, praising their bravery.
“This incident would have been very terrifying for the passengers, and Victoria Police commend the bravery of those who were able to overpower the suspect,” Reid said.
Barry Clark, one of the passengers who tackled the suspect, told the media that he had taken action after noticing the suspect arguing with a flight attendant about the firearm.
“I saw the barrel and gun, and I realized that was directed towards her chest. So I thought, I have to do something,” Clark said in an interview with Network 10.
“It happened in a matter of seconds. I quietly got up. The young girl was facing me, and the gun was only visible,” Clark added.
“But I knew if I pushed the gun away from him, at least if it went off, it would go off on the side of the plane, where there was no one there.”
The teenager was overpowered and detained by crew and passengers following the incident at Avalon Airport, approximately 60km (37 miles) from Melbourne, on Thursday, according to Victoria Police.
None of the roughly 160 passengers and crew on the Jetstar Airways plane were injured.
Police have charged the teen with eight offenses, including endangering the safe operation of an aircraft and possession of a firearm.
During the teen’s appearance at a juvenile court on Friday, police alleged that he had planted a fake homemade explosive and threatened passengers and crew, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Reid stated that the teen was overpowered by several passengers, praising their bravery.
“This incident would have been very terrifying for the passengers, and Victoria Police commend the bravery of those who were able to overpower the suspect,” Reid said.
Barry Clark, one of the passengers who tackled the suspect, told the media that he had taken action after noticing the suspect arguing with a flight attendant about the firearm.
“I saw the barrel and gun, and I realized that was directed towards her chest. So I thought, I have to do something,” Clark said in an interview with Network 10.
“It happened in a matter of seconds. I quietly got up. The young girl was facing me, and the gun was only visible,” Clark added.
“But I knew if I pushed the gun away from him, at least if it went off, it would go off on the side of the plane, where there was no one there.”
