A dramatic and alarming incident unfolded at Avalon Airport, on the afternoon of March 6, 2025, located approximately 50 kilometers southwest of Melbourne, Victoria. A 17-year-old male from Ballarat was arrested after allegedly breaching airport security and boarding a Jetstar flight bound for Sydney, armed with a loaded shotgun, ammunition, and a fake explosive device. The teenager, disguised as a maintenance worker in a high-visibility vest and tool belt, managed to bypass standard security protocols, raising serious questions about safety measures at one of Victoria’s key regional airports. The incident occurred on Jetstar flight JQ610, which was carrying around 150 to 160 passengers and was preparing for departure when the situation escalated.
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According to the Victoria Police, the teenager gained access to the airport by cutting a hole in a perimeter security fence, an act that allowed him to reach the tarmac undetected. Dressed to blend in as ground crew, he climbed the front boarding stairs of the aircraft around 2:20 PM and attempted to enter the cabin. Initially, his presence did not arouse suspicion, as the crew had been informed that maintenance checks were complete. However, a flight attendant confronted him when he failed to produce a boarding pass or proper identification, prompting the teenager to become agitated. It was at this moment that passengers noticed he was carrying a shotgun, leading to a swift and courageous response. Barry Clark, a shearer and former boxer from Echuca seated in row 1C, sprang into action. Clark recounted how he observed the barrel of a shotgun during the teenager’s interaction with the flight attendant. Without hesitation, he pushed the attendant aside, disarmed the suspect by breaking the shotgun and throwing it down the stairs, and tackled him to the ground. The pilot and at least two other passengers assisted in restraining the teenager, pinning him in a chokehold until police arrived at approximately 2:50 PM. Video footage later revealed the intensity of the confrontation, with Clark holding the suspect down while the pilot kicked the shotgun stock away. No injuries were reported, though passengers described the ordeal as terrifying, with some breaking down in tears as the situation unfolded.
Police allege that the teenager, who had driven from Ballarat earlier that day, stole two 12-gauge shotguns and a rifle from a property in western Victoria before heading to the airport. In addition to the firearms, he was carrying live ammunition and a faux homemade explosive device designed to appear legitimate. During the incident, he reportedly shouted, “I’ve got bombs in my bag,” a statement police interpreted as an intent to endanger the aircraft or its passengers. The Bomb Response Unit was deployed to inspect two bags found in the suspect’s vehicle, which was located near the airport, and the area was declared safe after a thorough investigation. The 17-year-old was taken into custody and faced a children’s court on March 7, charged with multiple offenses, including unlawfully taking control of an aircraft, endangering the safety of an aircraft, orchestrating a bomb hoax, and possessing firearms without a license. During his brief court appearance, dressed in a white shirt and black pants, he confirmed his understanding of the proceedings and was remanded in custody, with a future court date pending. Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Reid praised the bravery of the passengers and crew, noting that their actions likely prevented a catastrophic outcome.
Avalon Airport, which serves as Melbourne’s secondary hub, primarily for Jetstar’s domestic flights, was placed into lockdown following the incident, with all operations halted for several hours. The airport reopened later that evening, with Chief Executive Ari Suss announcing enhanced security measures, though specifics were not disclosed. Jetstar issued a statement emphasizing that the safety of passengers and crew remained their top priority and confirmed their cooperation with police and airport authorities in the ongoing investigation. Detectives, alongside counterterrorism officers, are probing the teenager’s motives, though no definitive classification of the incident as terrorism has been made. This alarming breach has spotlighted vulnerabilities at regional airports, where security presence, including that of the Australian Federal Police, is less robust than at major hubs. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical role that vigilance and rapid response play in ensuring public safety, thanks to the heroism of individuals like Barry Clark and the Jetstar crew.