A man has been charged after allegedly stabbing another man in the neck and chest outside a Melbourne shopping centre on Monday afternoon, with witnesses reporting the alleged attacker repeatedly shouted “allahu akbar” whilst being restrained by members of the public.
Emergency services were called to Homer Street near Moonee Ponds Central shopping centre in the city’s northwest at approximately 4.35pm following reports of a violent altercation between two men.
Victoria Police arrived to find one man suffering neck and chest injuries whilst another was being pinned to the ground by passersby who had performed a citizen’s arrest on the alleged offender.
Witness Liam Clifford, who saw the incident unfold, told 7News the scene was confronting. “When I saw the guy get pinned down by other people he just started screaming ‘allahu akbar’ over and over again and he just would not stop,” he said.
“It was scary, you don’t usually see this stuff happen in Moonee Ponds,” Mr Clifford added.
According to witnesses, the two men had been arguing before one allegedly drew a knife and stabbed the other in the neck. Five members of the public quickly intervened, restraining the alleged attacker until police arrived.
The alleged offender is now in custody and has been assisting police with their inquiries. The victim was transported to Royal Melbourne Hospital for treatment of his injuries.
The incident comes amid heightened concerns about knife violence at Australian shopping centres following several high-profile attacks in recent months.
Just days ago on Saturday, a 29-year-old man was shot dead by police after allegedly brandishing a machete at Westfield Mt Druitt shopping centre in Sydney’s west. Assistant Police Commissioner Gavin Wood said the man had been approaching a group of women involved in a car park brawl when officers intervened.
In May, a violent brawl involving up to 10 people, some armed with machetes, erupted at Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne’s Preston. The incident led Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan to fast-track legislation banning machetes.
The state’s concerns about knife violence were amplified following the April 2024 Bondi Junction massacre, in which mentally ill Queensland man Joel Cauchi killed six people and injured 12 others during a stabbing rampage at the Sydney shopping centre.
Cauchi, 40, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, was shot dead by NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott after confronting her with a knife. An inquest later heard he had been “floridly psychotic” during the attack.
In response to escalating knife violence, the Victorian government implemented Australia’s first outright ban on machetes, with possession now punishable by up to two years in prison and fines exceeding $47,000.
The interim ban on machete sales came into effect on 28 May, with permanent legislation taking effect from 1 September. Victoria Police have also been granted expanded random knife search powers.
Security staff at shopping centres across the country have been issued knife-proof vests as an additional safety measure following the string of attacks.
Under current Victorian law, carrying knives in public places without a lawful excuse is illegal. Lawful excuses can include work purposes, recreation such as fishing, or display, but self-defence is not considered a valid reason.
A person caught carrying a knife in public faces up to one year in prison. The sale of knives to anyone under 18 is also prohibited.
Monday’s incident at Moonee Ponds Central adds to growing community concerns about public safety at shopping centres, which have traditionally been considered safe spaces for families.
Police have not released further details about the alleged attacker or victim, and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the stabbing are ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the incident has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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