Boy, 14, attacked with machetes at Hoppers Crossing shopping centre
A teenager has been attacked by six people armed with machetes at a Melbourne shopping centre, in the latest incident involving the now-outlawed weapon.
The latest attack happened in the suburb of Hoppers Crossing on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday’s incident led to a 14-year-old boy being taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“Police are investigating a stabbing at a Hoppers Crossing shopping centre,” a police spokesperson said.
“Investigators have been told six males armed with machetes assaulted another male at the Heaths Road complex about 4.40pm.
“A 14-year-old boy sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital.
“The offenders fled in a black Hyundai i30 sedan. The investigation remains ongoing.”
About midday Sunday, police confirmed no arrests had been made. Investigators want anyone with information to come forward; confidential reports can be made online.
A brawl broke out at the same shopping centre on Thursday night.
“There have been no arrests yet,” the police spokesperson said.
The same shopping centre played host to a brawl just two days earlier, on Thursday; this one reportedly involved a fight inside JD Sports, the Herald Sun reports.
The sale of machetes was banned in Victoria in May. An interim ban was enacted while new laws were written up.
Those laws have passed and from September 1, it will be permanently illegal to own, use, carry, transport, sell and buy machetes in Victoria, unless you are covered by an exemption or valid approval.
The interim ban and laws were rushed through following a spate of public incidents involving machetes across Melbourne.
Originally published as Boy, 14, attacked with machetes at Hoppers Crossing shopping centre
