Bombshell update after teenager allegedly forced his way onto a Jetstar flight armed with a shotgun

A teenager accused of forcing his way onto a Jetstar flight while allegedly armed with a shotgun will face new federal charges including attempted hijacking. 

A joint counter-terrorism taskforce has been investigating the incident at Avalon Airport in Victoria on the afternoon of March 6. 

It was revealed on Friday the 17-year-old boy has been charged with four federal offences in addition to 12 prior state offences.

The federal charges include assaulting a member of an airline crew, attempted hijack, prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft with intent to kill, and prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft. 

A children’s court heard on Friday the teen may have communicated with a foreign entity or individual in relation to the alleged attempted hijacking. 

The nature of any foreign communications including the identities of any entities or individuals will be suppressed for three months following a successful application by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on grounds of national security. 

Police allege the teenager entered Victoria’s second-largest airport through a hole in the chain-link fence before approaching the commercial flight on foot. 

The teen, whose name has been suppressed for legal reasons, is alleged to have boarded the flight with a shotgun and claimed to be carrying explosives. 

‘I’ve got bombs in my bag’, he is alleged to have told passengers. 

Police alleged the teenager climbed through a hole in a fence at Avalon Airport before he approached the commercial flight on foot

The suppression order, which has barred reporting on material found in a car driven by the teenager, will extend until June this year.

The 17-year-old remains in custody and will face court in April. 

He is facing state offences of carrying out a bomb hoax, possessing a firearm, unlawfully taking control of an aircraft and endangering the safety of an aircraft. 

The AFP allege the teenager had placed a ‘faux homemade explosive’, which was intended to look like it was legitimate. 

About 160 passengers were onboard the flight which was due to fly to Sydney. 

A sheep farmer from NSW was hailed a national hero after footage emerged of him taking down the alleged hijacker. 

Barry Clark was granted free flights from Avalon Airport for life after he joined the pilot and others in tackling the 17-year-old to the ground. 

The incident was captured by passenger Daniel Defino who said Mr Clark had ‘put him in a headlock’ after the pilot spotted the shotgun and leapt into action. 

Aussie farmer Barry Clark (centre) has been hailed as a national hero for restraining the teen

Passenger Daniel Defino (pictured) captured the incident on his phone

‘He was dead silent [and] there was no emotion in his eyes at all. He looked almost fake, it was so scary,’ he said. 

In footage of the incident, Mr Clark is heard telling the pilot he will hold the intruder down while others disarm him. 

‘I don’t want to f***ing let him go. I’m not strangling you, mate, but you’re not f***ing moving alright?’ he said.

During the struggle the pilot removed what appeared to be the barrel of a shotgun. He then kicked away the gun’s stock which was already on the floor.

Passengers were urged to immediately exit the plane via the rear door.

No one was physically harmed in the incident. 

Bomb response officers were called to assist.