Man fighting for life after stabbing at Watergardens shopping centre

A 14-year-old is among five teens charged over a horror stabbing at Watergardens shopping centre that left a young man fighting for life.

Five teenage boys have been charged over an alleged gang stabbing at a shopping centre in Melbourne’s west which left a 19-year-old man fighting for his life.

Police were called to Watergardens shopping centre in Taylors Lakes around 7pm on Wednesday to reports a male had been stabbed.

Police confirmed a 14-year-old boy had been charged with intentionally causing serious injury and affray.

While four other males, aged between 16 and 17, had been charged with affray.

All five are due to appear before a bail justice for a remand hearing.

Emergency services outside of Watergardens shopping centre. Picture: Rebecca Borg.

Police cordoned off parts of the shopping centre with tape on Wednesday night as they scoured the scene for clues and spoke with witnesses.

Acting Senior Sergeant Daniel Allen said the victim had sustained significant stab wounds.

The man was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital with life-threatening injuries where he was undergoing surgery.

Sgt Allen said that the man was found in the middle of the precinct on the edge of a children’s playground in front of a number of busy restaurants.

“It occurred right in the middle of the restaurants.”

He said that the alleged offenders were also young and were arrested at the train station adjacent to the shopping centre.

“Five offenders have been arrested at the Watergarden’s train station by the PSOs (protective service officers).”

Witnesses claim the alleged offender tried to flee the scene on a bus but was detained by PSOs.

Police at the scene of the stabbing. Picture: Rebecca Borg

“He ran past me and I was sh--ting myself, because I was thinking ‘what’s he going to do to me?’,” witness Amy Brook told the Herald Sun.

“There were heaps of people running after him, shoppers, diners … people even stopped eating their food to chase after the guy.

“He tried to get on a bus, but fortunately, a lady stopped the bus.

“The doors were closed but the PSOs came to the bus and got him.”

Ms Brook said there were “kids everywhere” at a nearby playground when the young man was stabbed.

“It’s just scary to think that there were other kids on the playground, there were kids everywhere,” she added.

“It’s school holiday time so there were kids and families everywhere.”

The scene is searched for evidence. Picture: Rebecca Borg.

The incident unfolded in front of shocked diners and shoppers. Picture: Rebecca Borg.

A restaurant owner across from the incident, who wishes not to be identified, recalled finding the young man on a bench with multiple stab wounds on his body.

“He was literally about to pass out and we tried to wake him up,” he said.

“He was as white as ghost.”

He said that he was alerted to the attack when he heard screaming and rushed over.

“All I heard was everyone screaming and I just ran up there.”

He explained that a female paramedic had witnessed the incident and rushed to the young man’s aid, applying pressure to his wounds.

“Luckily there was a paramedic lady who actually saved him.”

“She was the one who knew what to do. She got the gloves, she pressure on the wounds.”

An ambulance is believed to have been on scene around 20 minutes after the attack, shortly after 7:15pm.