Shoppers sheltered in locked stores as the fighting went on in Broadmeadows.Credit: Instagram/Jacqui Felgate
“When it was finally safe to leave, all I could see were terrified faces, people crying, shaken and in shock,” she said on Instagram.
The fight is the latest in a string of incidents at the shopping centre, after a 22-year-old was shot outside the building and taken to hospital with serious injuries on September 28.
A 26-year-old Roxburgh Park man and a 31-year-old Glenroy man were arrested in connection with the shooting, but no charges have been laid.
On September 24, two groups of men were filmed fighting in the Broadmeadows Central car park with machetes in broad daylight, and one man was taken to hospital, according to Seven News.
In a statement, Broadmeadows Central said it did not tolerate “criminal or antisocial behaviour” on its premises and was assisting police with their investigation into Friday night’s fracas.
The centre opened for trade as usual on Saturday with an increased security presence.
“We understand this has been distressing for our customers and retail teams, and want to thank everyone for their support,” the centre stated on Instagram.
Victoria is grappling with its highest youth crime rate since electronic records began.
The government fast-tracked laws banning machetes after an armed brawl between youth gangs at Northland Shopping Centre, in Preston, in May.