Woolworths temporarily took knives and scissors off the shelves after Brunswick stabbing incident
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Following a “frightening” stabbing incident in Melbourne earlier this week, Woolworths has temporarily withdrawn scissors and knives from all of its stores across the country.
The incident occurred on Monday just after 8 AM, when 20-year-old Rory McAuley, allegedly wielding a knife, entered the supermarket in Brunswick in Melbourne’s inner north.
Police spoke to witnesses of the alleged stabbing at Barkly Square Shopping Centre. Photo by Andrew Henshaw/NCA NewsWire.
Suzanne Stewart, a shopper and witness to the scene, recalled her experience to the reporters, saying, “I just went inside to do some shopping, and there was a man running around with a knife. He threatened to kill me, and a security guard and another guy had to stop him.”
Investigators believed that a 60-year-old shopper was standing in the checkout queue when he heard yelling from behind him.
“He turned around and was allegedly stabbed in the upper body by a man who was in the queue,” the statement from Victoria Police said.
“The victim moved away and the alleged offender ran from the store.”
A short time later, McAuley allegedly stabbed another person - a security guard who approached him after coming from the supermarket. The suspect was later tasered and arrested by the police.
On Wednesday, McAuley was charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts each of intentionally and recklessly causing serious injury, two counts each of assault and assault with weapon, affray, making threats to kill, and theft.
The two victims were brought to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Knives and scissors were taken off the shelves. Photo from The Australian.
“Following a distressing incident at one of our Victorian stores, we’ve taken the precautionary step of temporarily withdrawing knives and scissors from sale nationwide,” a Woolworths spokesperson said on Wednesday.
The supermarket stated the decision to pull the dangerous objects out of the shelves came with the safety and well-being of customers and staff in mind.
“We’re undertaking a risk assessment on our store safety controls before determining our next step.”
“We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate the understanding of our customers at this time.”
The incident occurred on Monday just after 8 AM, when 20-year-old Rory McAuley, allegedly wielding a knife, entered the supermarket in Brunswick in Melbourne’s inner north.
Police spoke to witnesses of the alleged stabbing at Barkly Square Shopping Centre. Photo by Andrew Henshaw/NCA NewsWire.
Suzanne Stewart, a shopper and witness to the scene, recalled her experience to the reporters, saying, “I just went inside to do some shopping, and there was a man running around with a knife. He threatened to kill me, and a security guard and another guy had to stop him.”
Investigators believed that a 60-year-old shopper was standing in the checkout queue when he heard yelling from behind him.
“He turned around and was allegedly stabbed in the upper body by a man who was in the queue,” the statement from Victoria Police said.
“The victim moved away and the alleged offender ran from the store.”
A short time later, McAuley allegedly stabbed another person - a security guard who approached him after coming from the supermarket. The suspect was later tasered and arrested by the police.
On Wednesday, McAuley was charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts each of intentionally and recklessly causing serious injury, two counts each of assault and assault with weapon, affray, making threats to kill, and theft.
The two victims were brought to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Knives and scissors were taken off the shelves. Photo from The Australian.
“Following a distressing incident at one of our Victorian stores, we’ve taken the precautionary step of temporarily withdrawing knives and scissors from sale nationwide,” a Woolworths spokesperson said on Wednesday.
The supermarket stated the decision to pull the dangerous objects out of the shelves came with the safety and well-being of customers and staff in mind.
“We’re undertaking a risk assessment on our store safety controls before determining our next step.”
“We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate the understanding of our customers at this time.”
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