A violent confrontation between two masked men wielding machetes inside the Broadmeadows Central Shopping Centre on Friday night has reignited concerns about rising youth violence in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
Shoppers were forced to hide as the men, believed to be part of rival groups, clashed in the carpark around 7:20pm before continuing the fight inside the centre. Video footage circulating on social media shows the pair swinging large blades before fleeing in a white Mazda and a silver Honda moments before police arrived.
Authorities have confirmed that no injuries were reported, but the public nature of the fight — inside a busy shopping complex — has shocked the community. Police are reviewing CCTV and urging witnesses to contact Crime Stoppers.
The incident follows a string of violent altercations linked to youth gangs and so-called “drill culture” — a hip-hop subgenre often associated with aggressive lyrics and social media feuds. Victoria Police have recently begun monitoring such content to pre-empt street violence.
Community leaders are calling for stronger engagement with at-risk youth and better security at major suburban centres, warning that the escalation of public brawls risks normalising extreme violence among teenagers.
