On Thursday evening, August 13, 2026, police responded to a violent incident at Craigieburn Central Shopping Centre in Melbourne's north involving two groups armed with machetes. Authorities were informed that two shots were fired during an argument between the groups, prompting the shopping centre to be placed into lockdown at around 7:10 pm.

Witnesses reported seeing masked males outside a food outlet, with one describing the weapons as "massive machetes" resembling swords. The confrontation escalated quickly after a shot was heard, leading all involved to brandish their weapons.

Martin, a bystander, said he immediately called the police while other shoppers fled. He noted that mainly women and children were inside the food outlet at the time. Another witness recounted seeing a woman with her four daughters who were too frightened to leave even five to six minutes after the incident calmed down.

A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that the offenders fled the scene as officers arrived. Police continue to investigate the shooting and machete incident.

Sources