Australians are once again grappling with the aftermath of a public stabbing, this time at Melbourne's Highpoint Shopping Centre.

The incident, which occurred in broad daylight in front of shocked onlookers, has intensified tensions around safety in busy public spaces, coming just a week after the tragic Westfield Bondi Junction attack.

The stabbing took place outside the Seoul Garden Korean BBQ Buffet, a popular dining spot within the bustling Highpoint Shopping Centre.

At approximately 2:30 pm on Sunday, April 21, a physical altercation between two men escalated dramatically when one of the individuals produced a knife and stabbed the other in the upper body.

Police are investigating a stabbing incident that occurred outside a restaurant in Highpoint Shopping Centre. Image source: Highpoint Shopping Centre/Facebook

The victim, a young man whose identity has not been disclosed, was seen by witnesses stumbling down the restaurant's stairs, bleeding profusely from his stomach, before paramedics arrived.

The assailant, who was believed to be in their late teens, fled the scene immediately after the attack and remains at large, prompting a manhunt by Victoria Police.

The victim was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he is being treated for his injuries and is reported to be in a serious but stable condition.

This violent episode comes just a week after the horrific Westfield Bondi Junction massacre in Sydney, where Joel Cauchi, 40, went on a deadly stabbing spree, claiming the lives of six individuals with a 30 cm hunting knife. The Bondi Junction tragedy ended when a courageous police officer, Amy Scott, fatally shot the attacker.

The Highpoint Shopping Centre was not placed on lockdown following the stabbing, and authorities have indicated that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The Seoul Garden Korean BBQ Buffet has also resumed operations, despite the violent incident taking place at its doorstep.

Meanwhile, investigations continue as police scour the area for the perpetrator, urging anyone with information, including potential dashcam or CCTV footage, to come forward.

Heavy police presence was observed in the area immediately after the incident.

Many of us frequent shopping centres for our daily needs and social activities. Incidents like these can be particularly unsettling, reminding us of the importance of being vigilant and aware of our surroundings, even in places we consider safe.

We encourage our readers to stay informed about the safety protocols in place at their local shopping centres. It's also crucial to support one another in the community during these trying times.

You can watch 7News’ coverage of the incident here.

Key Takeaways

• A man was stabbed in a brawl outside a restaurant at Highpoint Shopping Centre in Melbourne's west.
• The attacker responsible for the stabbing fled the scene and remains at large.
• The victim was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital and is in a serious but stable condition.
• The incident follows a tragic event a week prior where five women and one man were killed in a stabbing spree at Westfield Bondi Junction.

In the meantime, our hearts go out to the victim for a speedy recovery, and we commend the first responders and medical staff for their swift action.

 

[April Bradford]

Members, if this news has brought up any distressing emotions, you may like to read this article on overwhelming feelings.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I don't think this was the same thing as the Bondi Junction stabbing.

I think it was a targeted stabbing between two people who knew each other.

We hear these incidents all the time now ,happening in Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland mostly being gang related.

Around my area alone there has been 6 stabbings in less than a year

Bondi Junctiin stabbing was a massacre happing to people unknown to the perpetrator.

The Good Sheppard stabbing in Wakefield Sydney was a terrorist attack.

 

[Colette 3799]

I don't think this was the same thing as the Bondi Junction stabbing.

I think it was a targeted stabbing between two people who knew each other.

We hear these incidents all the time now ,happening in Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland mostly being gang related.

Around my area alone there has been 6 stabbings in less than a year

Bondi Junctiin stabbing was a massacre happing to people unknown to the perpetrator.

The Good Sheppard stabbing in Wakefield Sydney was a terrorist attack.

So many knife crimes with gangs atm. And letting these people out on bail time after time is unacceptable. Things need to change.

 

[maggiehow]

Bring back high street shopping! Safer and easier access!

 

[Suzanne rose]

Central Coast in Sydney had a stabbing at a shopping centre today as well but again the two people knew each other .

 

[TrishBin]

It’s time these young people were tried in adult courts and jailed for murder and manslaughter with life sentences and no parole. They assume that they can take lives of often innocent people and get a slap on the hand. No more! Strong sentences must be sufficient to stop them. Only these penalties can do so. It is easy to see why some countries have kept the death penalty for those who are convicted and jailed but paroled only to kill again. Or buy killers from inside prisons. This is why all those illegal immigrants who have been released with long criminal histories should be deported no matter what the rules of their homeland are. They came here to escape prison in their own country, why is the taxpayer made to fund their lifestyle free in our communities and they able to act again to hurt us. At least 27 have so far broken the rules of their release and it appears that many are not even monitored, thanks to our weak kneed government and PM. Remember this at the next election. They get home to live in homes and our people especially veterans go homeless. They get food, clothing, travel and cash when they want it. Ordinary Australians do not. Something is very wrong in our society. We need to fix it now. Only since the law has refused to punish criminals properly has this happened.

 

[Abby2]

It’s time these young people were tried in adult courts and jailed for murder and manslaughter with life sentences and no parole. They assume that they can take lives of often innocent people and get a slap on the hand. No more! Strong sentences must be sufficient to stop them. Only these penalties can do so. It is easy to see why some countries have kept the death penalty for those who are convicted and jailed but paroled only to kill again. Or buy killers from inside prisons. This is why all those illegal immigrants who have been released with long criminal histories should be deported no matter what the rules of their homeland are. They came here to escape prison in their own country, why is the taxpayer made to fund their lifestyle free in our communities and they able to act again to hurt us. At least 27 have so far broken the rules of their release and it appears that many are not even monitored, thanks to our weak kneed government and PM. Remember this at the next election. They get home to live in homes and our people especially veterans go homeless. They get food, clothing, travel and cash when they want it. Ordinary Australians do not. Something is very wrong in our society. We need to fix it now. Only since the law has refused to punish criminals properly has this happened.

In full agreement Trish !!!

 

[Veggiepatch]

On Friday night there were two fatal stabbings in New South Wales alone. One in Narromine in the state's central west and at Quakers Hill in Sydney's western suburbs.

This weekend, we have numerous rallies across the country calling for action with regard to violence against women. They say a woman is killed at the hands of a partner or ex partner every nine days across Australia. Well, that statistic fades into insignificance when two males are killed in the space of a few hours in one state!

I can hear the cries of the misandric mob from here!

 

[David567]

Pointless catching the guy. The dickhead judges will just let him go again.