A shopkeeper has intervened to disarm a young man wielding an axe during a violent brawl inside his Launceston business on Friday afternoon.
Police say two men were being chased by two others along Invermay Road about 3:25pm and sought refuge inside the shop.
The second pair then entered the store, one of them armed with an axe and a physical altercation broke out.
CCTV footage from Shah’s Kebab shows the shopkeeper confronting the group and briefly restraining the armed man, causing the weapon to fall to the floor.
Those involved were then seen running from the shop.
The young man allegedly armed with the axe is confronted by the shopkeeper. Image / Shah’s Kebab
Inspector Danny Jackson said the incident was concerning.
“Going armed in public will not be tolerated and acts of physical assault such as this, particularly taking place in a public space and in someone’s business premises, will not be tolerated,” he said.
No one was seriously injured and the axe was not used to injure anyone, police said.
The fight broke up quickly and all four men left the store in different directions.
Two were seen heading south on Invermay Road about 3:35pm and have yet to be identified. Two others were spoken to by police near the scene.
Security cameras recorded the confrontation inside the shop. Image / Shah’s Kebab
Inspector Jackson said the relationship between the men and the reason for the chase were still under investigation.
“Why this incident has taken place and what the relationship between all the parties is, is still under investigation,” he said.
No arrests have been made and no charges have been laid.
The shopkeeper said on social media that he stepped in to stop the man attacking with the weapon.
“Had a great day today until these bunch of idiots decided to have a fight inside our shop,” he said.
He said violent incidents at the business had become a recurring problem.
The weapon fell to the floor during the struggle. Image / Shah’s Kebab
“This isn’t the first time, it’s been happening quite frequently nowadays and someone needs to do something about it or it just keeps happening.”
Police are urging anyone with information or video footage to contact them on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
The incident comes after police this week charged four people with armed robbery over a separate alleged incident at a Moonah business on Thursday.
Police allege two males entered the store and demanded cash and lighters before briefly leaving, only to return with two other males.
A worker was allegedly threatened and sustained non-life-threatening injuries after being struck with a glass bottle.