Massive fight breaks out at Darwin Woolworths

Supermarket workers who witnessed the terrifying knife fight outside a busy CBD shopping centre have been offered counselling. WATCH THE VIDEO

A MASSIVE fight has broken out at the Darwin CBD Woolworths.

The scuffle, which took place on Tuesday afternoon, involved about 10 people.

A video, taken at the supermarket and posted to Facebook, shows a man jumping the counter of the Passengers Cafe and grabbing multiple large knives.

He then moves towards other people with a knife.

The fight continues into the self-service area of the Woolworths, then down aisle six.

The supermarket’s alarms are going off throughout the video.

Footage from the knife fight outside Woolworths Darwin

The pharmacy and bottleshop in the centre closed their security doors during the incident.

The Passengers Cafe owner, who asked not to be named, told the NT News she was “shocked” after being alerted to the incident.

“It was really scary to hear what had happened,” she said.

“I am just grateful that none of the staff were here at the time, it is terrifying to think what might have happened if they were.”

The cafe opened in the Woolworths complex in May 2021 and the owner said in that time they had always left knives on the counter behind the fridge, but they will now be locked away.

“We always thought because they were out of sight that they were safe.

“But it was like the guy knew where they were, he jumped the counter so quickly and found them straight away.

“We will definitely be keeping them locked up from now on.”

The Woolworths site in the Darwin CBD. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

The complex has been a hive of criminal activity for a period of time according to the owner who said a larger police presence was needed in the area.

“It is never usually events like what we saw on Tuesday,” she said.

“But there is consistently little things happening here all the time and more needs to be done to keep staff and shopper safe.”

An eyewitness recounted the “terrifying” moment the knife fight broke out.

Christine told Katie Woolf on Mix104.9 she was out the front of Woolworths on Cavenagh St on Tuesday afternoon when the incident occured.

“About 3.30-4pm in the afternoon a whole heap of people came in — I’m talking 14 or so people,” she said.

“They jumped the counter at Passengers Cafe and they took her knife and ran amuck through the shopping centre.”

Christine said nearby shoppers ran and hid among the aisles.

“Customers were screaming and there were a whole heap of people hiding in the bakery but to tell you the truth no where was safe,” she said.

She said the experience was “absolutely horrendous” and a terrible look for those visiting.

“What a welcome to Darwin,” she said.

“It’s a joke.”

NT Police Darwin Division Superintendent James O'Brien at the Knuckey St Station.

NT Police Darwin Division Superintendent James O'Brien said between 10 and 30 people were involved in the armed brawl through the busy shopping centre at 4.25pm Tuesday.

Supt O’Brien said police were at the “very frightening” scene within three minutes.

“It’s something that we, as the police, do not condone at all,” he said.

“It’s appalling behaviour.

“I would not have liked to have been there if I had my family with me. That would be a terribly frightening thing.”

Supt. O’Brien said CCTV had captured footage of one person jumping into an unattended small takeaway shop and grabbing a “large knife” before chasing the group into the shopping centre.

Despite the armed brawlers, Supt. O’Brien said the public were not at risk from the inter-group violence.

“It was clearly a disturbance between two groups there. The wider public — even though it was very scary — I don’t think was in danger at any time,” he said.

While Supt. O’Brien tried to allay fears of a repeat of the shopping centre violence, he added “anything can happen at any time”.

He said the area had been classified as a “hotspot” with additional resources and community engagement around the Cavenagh St complex.

Supt O’Brien said initial investigations suggested the Woolworths fight was connected to ongoing disturbances in Wadeye, but police were still confirming the connections.

He said he was in communication with Wadeye Police to confirm if it was related to family fighting in the remote community.

“We’re not concerned about the violence (of Wadeye) spilling out,” Supt. O’Brien said.

Supt. O’Brien said in the early stage of the investigation it was difficult to establish how the groups knew each other, if alcohol was involved or what sparked the flare-up of violence.

Supt. O’Brien said a 16-year-old boy had been arrested and was likely to appear in the Youth Justice Court on Wednesday afternoon.

The teenager is in custody and is expected to be charged with going armed in public, engaging in violent conduct, possessing a schedule 2 drug (non-traffickable quantity) and breach of bail.

Supt O’Brien said the investigation was ongoing, with police were hoping to talk to one other person who was in possession of a knife during the skirmish.

“If anybody does have any information at all, any further video footage, please call 131 444,” he said.

Superintendent James O’Brien said: “This appears to have been an escalation of a dispute between family groups. We are speaking with witnesses and are aware of a video of the incident posted to social media.”

Supt O’Brien said the investigation was ongoing, with police hoping to talk to one other person who was in possession of a knife during the skirmish.

“If anyone has video or witnessed the incident, please contact police on 131 444 and quote reference 10070979,” he said.

Supt. O’Brien said while the shopping centre security guards could act as a “deterrent” only police were ready and equipped to deal with armed violence.

“We always ask them to protect themselves, like we want our community protected, and call police straight away,” he said.

A Woolworths spokesman commended the store’s staff on their response to the fight.

“Our Darwin City store team responded calmly and quickly to the unfolding incident,” he said.

“Police were called and we continue to assist them with their inquiries.”

It’s understood Woolworths is offering team members who witnessed the incident access to counselling services.

SDA NT union secretary Josh Peak

SDA NT union secretary Josh Peak said there was “no excuse for customer abuse or violence”.

“Our frontline workers in supermarkets are just trying to do their jobs. They should not have to deal with violence as part of their duties,” he said.

“No workers should ever have to be confronted with the violence witnessed by the frontline workers at Woolworths in the city.”

“Customer abuse and violence can have a huge effect not only on workers’ physical wellbeing, but on their mental health.

“With over 85 per cent of retail workers having experienced customer abuse, it’s clear there needs to be immediate action and we’re calling for a greater police presence at supermarkets.

“Through our No One Deserves a Serve campaign, the union, employers and other business groups have been taking action in stores and through advertising campaigns to combat customer abuse.

“In order to eliminate customer abuse from shops, we need everyone to come to the table and do their part.

“We’re working with employers to introduce a zero-tolerance approach to customer abuse and introduce stronger protections for workers including security guards, more training and stronger policies.”

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