Shoppers have been left terrified by a violent brawl between rival gang members armed with machetes, forcing the lockdown of a busy shopping centre.
A 15-year-old boy and another male have been arrested, while another male was rushed to the hospital following the brawl about 2.30pm at Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne‘s north.
Superintendent Kelly Lawson confirmed the attack was not random, saying rival gangs had arranged a meeting at the centre’s food court before the fight erupted.
“It is said to have been an act of retaliation,” she said.
Police believe about 10 people were involved in the brawl, some armed with knives.
There were no firearms involved despite some reports, Supt Lawson added.
“It was a chaotic scene,” she said.
“It’s really frightening for members of the public to go through this.”
The centre was locked down during the incident as dozens of police officers responded and shoppers shared updates on social media.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson confirmed a man in his 20s was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with upper body injuries.
He is in serious but stable condition.
Supt Lawson said it would not take long to identify the eight other gang members involved.
Two males remain under arrest and are speaking to police.
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