UPDATE: Shocking footage has surfaced of a violent machete fight at Broadmeadows Central shopping centre in Melbourne. The altercation unfolded around 7:20 PM on Friday night, escalating from the carpark into the busy shopping area, prompting screams from onlookers and retail workers who rushed to lock their doors for safety.
Video circulating online captures two men, clad in balaclavas, engaged in a fierce sword fight with machetes. The chaotic scene unfolded in front of a café, with another clip revealing the men lunging at each other near a jeweller, creating a terrifying atmosphere for shoppers in the vicinity.
According to Victoria Police, the fight originated between two groups in the carpark before spilling into the shopping centre. Eyewitness reports indicate that the suspects fled the scene in a silver Honda and a white Mazda before police arrived. Authorities confirmed that at least some individuals involved were armed with edged weapons.
Police are urgently calling for any witnesses or individuals with video footage of the incident to come forward. This violent display comes amidst rising concerns over machete-related violence in Melbourne. Just weeks ago, two young boys, Dau Akueng, 15, and Chol Achiek, 12, tragically lost their lives in a similar incident while returning home from a basketball game in the western suburbs.
In response to escalating machete violence, the state government implemented a ban on machete sales following a high-profile incident at another shopping centre earlier this year. As part of ongoing efforts to reduce bladed weapon incidents, the government recently introduced amnesty bins for residents to safely surrender weapons. In the first two weeks of September, a staggering 1,386 machetes and knives were turned in, with retailers contributing an additional 3,500 blades and police seizing over 10,800 bladed weapons throughout the year.
This latest incident highlights a growing concern for public safety in Melbourne, as authorities work to address the alarming trend of violence involving bladed weapons. The situation is developing, and more updates are expected as police continue their investigation into this brazen act of violence.
