Two violent stabbing incidents at Melbourne shopping centres over the weekend have left a teenager fighting for his life and a man undergoing emergency surgery after a machete attack.
A 17-year-old boy remains in critical condition after being stabbed at Broadmeadows Central in Melbourne’s north on Sunday evening. Emergency services were called around 6:30pm, and bloodstains remained at the scene the next morning.
Just 24 hours earlier, a 33-year-old man nearly lost his hand during a machete assault and robbery at Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows. A group of males reportedly approached the victim, pushed him to the ground, and struck his forearm with a machete. They then fled with his mobile phone.
Witnesses described a horrifying scene with blood everywhere and the man’s hand barely attached. He was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital and underwent surgery. While reports initially suggested an amputation, it was later clarified that the arm was not removed.
The incidents add to a string of machete-related violence across Melbourne in 2025. In response, the Victorian government plans to enforce a machete ban beginning September 1. Premier Jacinta Allan described the weekend attacks as “horrific” but defended the delay, citing police advice on proper implementation.
“This violence is deeply troubling,” Allan said. “We are doing everything to ensure these weapons are banned as soon as possible — safely and effectively.”
Uniformed police and security guards were seen patrolling both shopping centres on Monday.
