Broadway shopping centre: Boy targeted by group of teens in wild shopping centre confrontation
A group of teens have targeted a boy, with innocent Sydney shoppers scrambling to move out of the path of destruction as they rampaged through a shopping centre. Watch the video.
A violent confrontation between two rival youth groups at a Sydney shopping centre sent Christmas shoppers running as chairs and tables were hurled across a food court.
Footage circulating on social media shows a boy backing away as several teens lift chairs and tables from the food court before hurling them in his direction.
Police say the group of teenagers confronted the boy in Broadway shopping centre before an argument began.
One woman, who police say is an associate of the targeted Waterloo teen and not the intended target, was struck by a chair.
According to police up to eight youths, aged 15 to 18, were involved, with others arriving moments after the altercation began.
Police say chairs were also thrown over the railing and crashed down onto the level below.
Detective Chief Inspector Grant Watson said the clash unfolded in front of families and Christmas shoppers.
“There were a number of shoppers there most likely doing their Christmas shopping and going about their daily business,” he said.
“It’s terrible. It shouldn’t be happening in a public place or shouldn’t be happening at all.”
“Those chairs could have caused a grave injury,” Insp Watson said. “It’s extremely dangerous.”
Police stressed the groups are known to each other and the confrontation appears to have been a “chance encounter” rather than a random attack.
“I wouldn’t describe it as gang-on-gang,” Insp Watson said.
“There have been some issues between two groups from Glebe and Waterloo for a number of months. We’ve been working very closely with those groups to resolve this issue, but unfortunately it’s spilled over into a shopping centre.”
The majority of those involved have already been identified, with officers currently trying to track them down.
“We’re working as quickly as we can to bring these young people before the court,” Watson said.
Police are urging anyone with footage or information to contact Leichhardt police or crime stoppers.
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