In two alarming incidents over the weekend, a teenager was stabbed, and a man was attacked with a machete in separate shopping centre assaults in Melbourne’s northern and southwestern suburbs.
The first incident occurred at Broadmeadows Central Shopping Centre around 6.30pm, where a 17-year-old from Craigieburn sustained critical injuries from a stabbing. Emergency services swiftly transported him to hospital for treatment. Authorities believe the victim was acquainted with the assailant and have indicated a small knife was used in the attack. While police cordoned off significant areas of the shopping centre’s undercover car park, the attacker remains at large, and no arrests have been made.
In a unrelated incident at Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows, a 33-year-old man suffered injuries during a machete attack. Reportedly, he was approached by a group of males, pushed to the ground, and subsequently struck on the arm with an edged weapon. The victim, who sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries, was also taken to hospital for care. The offenders fled the scene with his mobile phone, and no arrests have been reported in this case as well.
Police are actively investigating both events and are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward by contacting local authorities or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.