Police investigate stabbing after group brawl at Cairnlea Town Centre

A teenager was stabbed and a man injured in a targeted attack outside a Melbourne shopping centre following a brawl that witnesses claim was prearranged among “rival groups”.

Two people were injured in what police was a targeted attack in Cairnlea

A teen boy was stabbed and a man suffered a laceration in a targeted attack outside a Melbourne shopping centre following a brawl that witnesses claim was prearranged among “rival groups”.

Two groups, believed to be known to each other, clashed at Cairnlea Town Centre on Wednesday afternoon before a teenager was stabbed in the chest and a man sustained a laceration wound.

Police confirmed two groups met at the shopping centre before a brawl broke out about 5.30pm resulting in two hospitalisations.

A 15-year-old Truganina boy was stabbed in his upper chest at Cairnlea Town Centre on Wednesday afternoon. Picture: Supplied

A 15-year-old boy and a 40-year-old man from Truganina were treated in a stable condition.

The boy was transported to Sunshine Hospital.

Three males that police believe were involved, fled the scene in two cars.

Witnesses claim they saw the groups clash at the centre in what appeared to be a “pre arranged” meeting.

The incident is believed to have taken place near the pharmacy.

One witness posted on social media they saw a guy on the run and the knife was “huge”.
Another said it was terrible to see the “disgusting” incident and they felt “sick” knowing primary kids had only finished school a few hours earlier.

Cairnlea resident Graeme Blore told the Herald Sun he believed the attack was a meeting of “rival groups” of young men.

Witnesses claim they saw multiple people holding poles and what appeared to be a machete.

Mr Blore said he was alarmed the following morning that there was no increased security presence and no representatives had attempted to reassure the community.

Cairnlea resident Graeme Blore claimed that youth in the area were disengaged and not given opportunities and positive outlets such as sport. Picture: Supplied.

“Young people in this area are deprived of positive outlets, there are barely any sporting facilities and appalling public transport,” Mr Blore said.

“We have high youth unemployment and young people have become disengaged and disenfranchised.”

Brimbank detectives are investigating.

It is understood Brimbank council officers were working with centre management, the impacted school, and police on Thursday.

Anyone with information or CCTV footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
More to come.