Westfield Knox machete attack: 17 year old boy allegedly stabbed outside shopping centre

A boy was seen dripping blood after he was allegedly stabbed outside Westfield Knox shopping centre on Wednesday.

A 17-year-old boy was allegedly stabbed near the bus bay entrance to Westfield Knox on Wednesday afternoon.

A 17-year-old boy was allegedly stabbed in the backside with a machete during a disturbing daylight attack outside Westfield Knox shopping centre.

Police believe the victim knew his attacker, alleged to be a 14-year-old boy, who was in the company of two 14-year-old girls when the alleged attack took place at the bus bay entrance to the Wantirna South centre on Wednesday afternoon, about 2.14pm.

Knox detective Leading Senior Constable Rick Rottinger said the 17-year-old was allegedly stabbed in the backside by a 14-year-old boy with a 35cm machete, similar to a long knife.

After the alleged attack a member of the public came to the victim’s assistance inside the shopping centre after noticing he was bleeding and dripping blood and called an ambulance.

The victim was taken to the Alfred Hospital in a non-life threatening condition.

He also suffered defensive injuries to his fingers.

Sen-Constable Rottinger said a 14-year-old boy and two girls with him were arrested near the scene.

He said it was a targeted attack and the victim and alleged offender were known to each other.

He said the use of a machete was “very dangerous” and could have fatal consequences.

“It is extremely concerning to police that offenders are carrying weapons such as this which could quite easily have resulted in a fatal injury,” he said.

The two girls were processed for other alleged assault-related matters while the boy will be charged on summons with intentionally causing injury and other assault related offences.

Police have recovered the weapon.

The incident comes after frightened parents recently banned their teenagers from hanging out at Westfield Southland after a girl’s head was stomped on during a violent attack.