Melbourne Mall Brawl Prompts Lockdown, Arrests

Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne went into lockdown on Sunday afternoon after a violent brawl erupted between two rival groups, some armed with machetes and knives, in the crowded food court. One man in his 20s suffered serious stab wounds and was taken to hospital in stable condition. Police responded swiftly, arresting two individuals and either evacuating or securing shoppers inside stores for safety. Witnesses described scenes of panic, with people sheltering in locked back rooms and behind shutters, while images and videos circulated on social media. Authorities believe the fight was targeted, with the groups involved known to each other. The shopping centre remained closed for several hours as police continued their investigation and appealed for witnesses.