Overview

• A pre-arranged brawl between rival gangs erupted at Melbourne's Northland Shopping Centre, involving knives and machetes, leaving three people injured, including a 20-year-old man in serious condition.
• Victoria Police arrested two teenagers, aged 15 and 16, who have been charged with affray, intentionally causing injury, and weapon-related offenses.
• The Victorian Government announced an immediate ban on machete sales, with possession to be prohibited starting September 1, 2025, as part of new efforts to curb weapon-related violence.
• Shoppers and staff were locked down during the incident, with some assisting in restraining an attacker while others fled or sought shelter in stores.
• Authorities are continuing investigations to identify eight additional suspects involved in the violent altercation, which police described as an act of gang retaliation.