Alleged Tweed City Shopping Centre axe attacker Warren Williams, 23, faces court

A man who allegedly struck another man in the face with a tomahawk at a busy shopping centre on the Qld-NSW border has faced court. Here’s the details.

Police at the scene of the alleged assault. Picture: Nine Gold Coast News.

A man who allegedly struck another man in the face with a tomahawk at a busy shopping centre on the Queensland-New South Wales border has faced court.

Warren Williams, 23, faced Tweed Heads Local Court on Wednesday and stands accused of the horrific attack.

Warren Williams, 23, stands accused of a violent attack at Tweed City Shopping Centre: Pictures: Facebook.

At about 3.30pm on Thursday, July 11, emergency services were called to Tweed City Shopping Centre on Minjungbal Dr, Tweed Heads South, following reports a man had been wounded.

Tweed-Byron Police District officers attended the scene and were told by horrified witnesses that a large group had become involved in a brawl, with a 25-year-old man seriously injured after he was allegedly slashed across the face with a tomahawk or hatchet.

Terrified shoppers watched on during the alleged axe attack. Picture: Supplied

The man was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for facial injuries before he was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital for treatment. He has since been released from hospital.

In the wake of the violent incident, terrified shoppers took to social media saying “there was blood everywhere”.

Some attempted to assist the man on scene before paramedics arrived.

A tomahawk was recovered at the scene and was seized by police for forensic examination.

It can be revealed that Williams was charged on Tuesday afternoon over the alleged shopping centre wounding after already being arrested for contravening an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO).

He was charged with reckless wounding in company at Tweed Heads Police Station.

He appeared in the docks at Tweed Heads Local Court for a brief mention on Wednesday.

One of his supporters said “I love you my brudda (sic)” as Williams was taken back into custody.

He did not enter any pleas and did not apply for bail.

Williams is seeking further advice from the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) and will reappear in the same court on Monday, August 5.

Inquiries into the incident are ongoing.

Originally published as Alleged Tweed City Shopping Centre axe attacker Warren Williams, 23, faces court