Craigieburn Central was placed into lockdown after two groups of masked men armed with machetes were seen arguing.
Police stepped up patrols at Craigieburn Central in Melbourne's north after reports of gunshots and an argument between two groups of masked men armed with machetes on Thursday evening, leading to a brief lockdown.
AI-generated summary
Two groups of masked men armed with machetes argued at Craigieburn Central on Thursday evening, prompting a brief lockdown.
Police have stepped up patrols of a shopping centre in Melbourne's north after reports shots were fired during an argument between men armed with machetes on Thursday evening.
Craigieburn Central was placed into lockdown at around 7:10pm on Thursday.
Police were told two groups of males, both armed with machetes, were seen arguing at the shopping centre and two gunshots were heard.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there were no reports of injury at Craigieburn Road complex following the Thursday disturbance.
"It is understood two groups of males were seen arguing at the location but fled prior to police arrival," the police spokeswoman said.
"Police were told some of the males were armed with machetes.
"There were no reports of injuries and the shopping centre was briefly placed into lockdown as a precaution.
"Police will have a visible presence and will be conducting patrols in the area for community reassurance."
Martin was at the centre with his six-year-old son.
He said he saw a group of males wearing masks just outside the food outlet where he was sitting.
He said some men approached the group and it looked like they were telling them to calm down when a second group of masked males arrived.
"They ran towards each other and then a shot was heard," he told the ABC radio program Evenings with David Astle.
"They looked like swords; I've never seen such large machetes before."
Martin said he immediately called the police while other shoppers fled.
He said there were mainly women and children inside the food outlet.
"Almost every single one of them were on the floor.
"I picked up my son, and I saw a lady with her four daughters. Roughly about five or six minutes later, when everything calmed down, they were too scared to leave."
Haiqa Asif was at the shopping centre with her family and said there was "a real stampede" when people realised what was happening.
"At one point we heard a gunshot but we didn't take it seriously because we thought we might be mistaken, but then we saw people outside running and grabbing their children and then we realised something was wrong," she told ABC Radio Melbourne.
"We saw [what looked like] a couple of teenagers running with masks on and holding machetes and that was very terrifying."
Hume Mayor Carly Moore said the incident was troubling.
"It's pretty frustrating to hear reports of this kind of thing happening all too often now," she told 774 ABC Melbourne.
"I think we need to have a really serious conversation around what we expect and what does our community expect."
Police are investigating the incident and urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Police will continue investigating the incident and seeking public information.
Very likely · Within days
Former world boxing champion Zolani Tete, 38, was shot dead by two masked gunmen outside his home in Mdantsane, South Africa. A 27-year-old woman accompanying him was also wounded in the attack. Authorities have launched an investigation into the motive.
Nigerian authorities are investigating two fraudulent agencies, the PFIPC and NBDMNSPO, which operated from government buildings using forged documents. Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the alleged mastermind behind the PFIPC, has been arrested.
Melbourne father Khaled Malas is missing after an alleged shooting in Wildwood on August 19. Police suspect he succumbed to chest injuries following a dispute over a $500,000 debt. Mohammed Aboueid, 56, has been charged with intentionally causing serious injury.
At her triple-murder trial in Massachusetts, former nurse Lindsay Clancy's defence argues she suffered from severe postpartum psychosis when she killed her three children in 2023.
A 15-year-old boy is in critical but stable condition after an alleged stabbing in Terrigal on the NSW Central Coast. Brisbane Water Police established a strike force and are seeking information regarding two groups of teenagers present during the incident.
A third woman involved in the alleged Sydney Swans sexual assault scandal has retained Slater and Gordon lawyers, with a potential civil lawsuit being explored as police investigations continue.