Huge update after brawl between rival gangs plunged Northland Shopping Centre into lockdown – as Jacinta Allan brings forward ban on dangerous weapon

Two teenagers have been charged after a violent brawl broke out between rival gang members armed with machetes and forced a shopping centre into lockdown. 

Two boys, aged 15 and 16, have been charged, while another male, 20, was rushed to hospital following the brawl about 2.30pm at Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne’s north.

The teenagers were charged with affray, intentionally cause injury, possess controlled weapon and use controlled weapon and have been remanded to appear in a children’s court at a later date.

The charges come as premier Jacinta Allan held a snap press conference on Monday to announce a machete ban will be expedited.

The ban was initially set to be enforced in four months on September 1, however Allan revealed a ban on the sale of machetes would be enforced from Wednesday. 

‘Those knives are dangerous weapons,’ she said.

‘They have no place on our streets anywhere and that is why I will introduce as many laws to get these dangerous knives off the streets, which is why I’m announcing today that, effective immediately, we will be bringing in place a ban on the sale of machetes here in Victoria, and this ban will be in place from midday on Wednesday.’

Victoria is the first state in the country to introduce a ban on the sale of machetes.

‘Under consumer powers, using these powers, Victoria will be banning machetes from being sold anywhere in the state,’ Allan said.

‘We can do this now. We can move to bring about this ban on the sale of machetes as we move quickly and safely with Victoria Police on bringing about that Australian-first machete ban.’

Superintendent Kelly Lawson confirmed the attack was not random, saying rival gangs had arranged a meeting at the centre’s food court before the fight erupted.

‘It is said to have been an act of retaliation,’ she said.

Police believe about 10 people were involved, some armed with knives.

There were no firearms involved.

‘It was a chaotic scene,’ Supt Lawson added.

‘It’s really frightening for members of the public to go through this.’

The centre was locked down during the incident as dozens of police officers responded and shoppers shared updates on social media.

The man taken to hospital is in a stable condition.

Two other males have since self-presented to hospital with injuries.

Supt Lawson said it would not take long to identify all the gang members involved.

One shopper recalled seeing a wounded young man with a ‘big machete still in his stomach’. 

Another recalled hurrying an injured teenager to help.

‘We rushed the kid (who had severe upper body wounds) over to the Gelatissimo – two girls looked after him very well – it was pretty gory,’ he told Nine News.

Terrified shoppers were forced to run for their lives from the centre as others sought refuge in shuttered stores, including Kmart, Myer and Smiggle.

3AW journalist Jacqueline Felgate shared a series of frantic messages received from those inside locked inside stores.

‘A gang of people with machetes at Northland! We are locked in the back of a store,’ one wrote.

‘No update from centre management if they are still here or not. Unsure if anyone is hurt.

‘We are safe where we are. Currently in a locked store room with four other people.

‘Unsure about anyone else in the centre at this point.’

Another wrote: ‘There are people running around Northland with knives. All stores’ shutters are down, my mum is in Best and Less. Scary!

‘Not sure of what’s happening but hope it’s not another Bondi situation.’