A startling incident at Melbourne’s Northland shopping centre saw shopkeepers taking swift action to protect customers as a gang armed with machetes sparked panic. Bronte, an employee at EB Games, recounted how they discovered a machete discarded outside their store while shoppers rushed in for safety. Bronte quickly instructed a colleague to stay alert and went in search of a security guard.
Once the guard arrived, they secured the machete in a bag, which was later handed over to police. Bronte focused on ensuring that everyone remained calm and safe during the ordeal, even sharing chocolates purchased earlier to comfort those inside.
Jo, a shopper whose six-year-old child and partner were present during the chaos, described the distressing situation from her perspective. They sought refuge in a Cotton On store, where the staff helped to distract children by playing an episode of Bluey. Jo admitted it was unsettling as they weren’t able to return home for hours.
The Victoria Police confirmed that this violent clash was a premeditated fight among rival youth gangs, leading to four arrests. Local shopkeepers expressed pride in the community’s response, particularly for supporting each other during such a frightening event.