Teenager Injured in Machete Attack at Melbourne Shopping Center

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A 14-year-old boy was hospitalized after being attacked by six individuals armed with machetes at a shopping center in Hoppers Crossing, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. Police confirmed the incident occurred Saturday afternoon and is the latest in a series of violent episodes involving the now-banned weapon.

According to a Victoria Police spokesperson, investigators were told that six male offenders armed with machetes assaulted the victim at the Heaths Road shopping complex at approximately 4:40 p.m. 

The teenager sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The suspects fled the scene in a black Hyundai i30 sedan. Authorities have not yet made any arrests, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The same shopping center was the site of a separate altercation just two days earlier, when a brawl reportedly broke out inside a JD Sports store. That incident did not involve machetes, but it drew additional attention to security concerns at the location.

Victoria banned the sale of machetes in May through an interim measure while permanent legislation was being drafted.

 The new laws, set to take effect on September 1, will make it illegal to own, use, carry, transport, sell, or buy machetes in the state unless covered by an exemption or valid approval. Lawmakers expedited the process following a rise in public incidents involving machetes across Melbourne.

Police are urging anyone with information about Saturday’s attack to contact investigators. Confidential reports can be submitted online. As of midday Sunday, no suspects had been taken into custody.

Authorities have stressed that public cooperation is critical in resolving such cases, particularly in incidents involving dangerous prohibited weapons. While the new ban aims to curb violence linked to machete use, police say community assistance remains an essential part of preventing and solving these crimes.