Ex-boxer and sheep shearer tackles teen with loaded shotgun on plane

A teenage boy with a loaded shotgun got on an airplane and was restrained by a former boxer, another passenger, and the pilot at an Australian airport. 

The teen was detained before police arrived at Avalon Airport in Victoria state on Thursday. 

Ex-boxer takes on teen suspect

What we know:

Barry Clark, a former professional boxer and sheep shearer, said he snuck up behind the teen and pushed the gun and the flight attendant away in different directions so that she would not be hit if the gun fired.

Clark tackled the teen, who he said pretended to be a maintenance worker and became irritated when questioned by a flight attendant at the airplane’s entrance. 

What they're saying:

"I looked up and then within a second I saw the barrel of a shotgun and I thought to myself that ain’t a tool that should be on a plane," Clark told a local Australian television station. "When I saw the complete gun I said: we’re in trouble here," he added.

Airplane incident under investigation

What we don't know:

The teen’s identity was not released and his motive for the plane incident is unknown at this time.

He has been charged with multiple offenses including unlawfully taking control of an aircraft, orchestrating a bomb hoax, and possessing a firearm, according to a police statement obtained by the Associated Press.

Victoria Police Superintendent Michael Reid told reporters the teen climbed through a hole in the airport’s security fence before making his way to the plane’s stairs.

What's next:

The 17-year-old was remanded in custody to appear in a children’s court on a date to be determined, the Associated Press reported.

According to the AP, Jetstar, a budget subsidiary of Sydney-based Qantas Airways, told the news outlet that it was collaborating with police and the airport to understand what happened.