- A 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death
- Another 15-year-old boy arrested
Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy from Melton West after a teenager was stabbed to death at a busy Melbourne shopping centre.
Emergency services were called to Woodgrove Shopping Centre in Melton West shortly before midday on Tuesday to reports that a 16-year-old boy had been stabbed.
Paramedics performed CPR, but despite their best efforts, he died at the scene.
The 15-year-old was arrested later Tuesday after being interviewed by the homicide squad.
The arrested teenager is known to have known the alleged victim. No links to youth gangs in the western suburbs have been established.
“It is believed there may have been an altercation between the victim and another man,” Victoria Police said.
‘The exact circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death are yet to be determined.’
The incident comes just days after a local outlet issued a warning to shoppers about potential “gang” problems at the mall.
Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy from Melton West after a teenager was stabbed to death at a busy Melbourne shopping centre.
Police are pictured at the Woodgrove Mall on Tuesday
An entrance to the food court was closed following the tragedy.
“I heard there might be some gang trouble this weekend in Woodgrove,” the woman wrote on Facebook Saturday.
‘I hope that’s not true… Be aware of your surroundings.’
A woman who works at a shop inside the centre told Daily Mail Australia she heard a group of youths “screaming and yelling” as the attack took place.
Witness Steve told 3AW the centre was packed with shoppers at the time of the attack.
“There must be 25 police cars and helicopters in the sky,” he said.
‘The food court where the incident occurred is open and there are people who don’t realize it.’
Police tape was placed inside the building as officers worked the scene.
Pictured: The large police operation in the centre on Tuesday.
The woman said she was surprised that authorities did not close the square after the incident.
“All they did was close one entrance. That was all.”
A police helicopter has been deployed to the area as detectives search for the knife-wielding man.
The incident comes after the mall was closed earlier this year after a fight broke out between two groups of youths armed with machetes and a butcher knife.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.