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Armed Teen Overpowered on Australian Flight Before Arrest

A 17-year-old boy was arrested at Avalon Airport after brandishing a shotgun aboard Jetstar Flight 610. Passengers and crew acted quickly to subdue him.

By Christine HauserSource: nytimes.com1 min read
Armed Teen Overpowered on Australian Flight Before Arrest
Image via nytimes.com

In brief

On March 7, 2025, an alarming incident unfolded at Avalon Airport in Australia, where a young teen, 17, attempted to hijack a Jetstar flight with a shotgun. Passengers and crew sprang into action to overpower the armed individual, who reportedly claimed to have explosives. The successful restraint occurred before local authorities arrived and took him into custody.

Witnesses, including sheep shearer Barry Clark, described the chaotic scene. As he boarded the flight to Sydney for a football match, Clark observed crew members questioning the teenager, who was dressed unusually for a passenger. When a firearm suddenly appeared during the confrontation, Clark intervened, managed to lock the teen's arm, and restrained him until police intervened.Victoria Police revealed they immediately searched the teen’s bags and vehicle for safety reasons, even deploying a bomb response unit as a precaution, although no injuries resulted from the encounter. The swift actions of the passengers and crew prevented potentially disastrous consequences, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in public spaces.

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