‘Targeted’ attack plunges Melbourne shopping centre into lockdown

A man has been rushed to hospital in a serious condition after 10 people were allegedly involved in a fight that plunged Northland Shopping Centre in Melbourne's northeast into lockdown.

Emergency services were called to the Murray Rd shopping centre in Preston shortly after 2.30pm following reports of opposing groups fighting, some armed with knives.

Victoria Police said one male had since been transported to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

A further two males had been placed under arrest and were currently being interviewed.

The shopping centre remained locked down while police investigate the incident.

The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated but police believe the incident was targeted and parties are believed to be known to each other.

Investigators are seeking to speak with anyone in the area at the time and who may have witnessed the altercation.

The lockdown sparked chaos at the busy centres, with shoppers sharing unverified images and video online.

Two separate video posted to Facebook showed a man on the ground being restrained.

In one of the video, the man is scene wearing what appeared to be a face mask while in the second they are not - it was not immediately clear if they were the same man.

Video also showed the chaos outside the centre, as police cars rushed to the scene, a helicopter circled overhead, and shoppers waited in the parking lot.

Patrons told 3AW radio station that they were locked inside individual stores.

“Tell people not to go there at the present time until its given the all-clear,” Bill, whose daughter was at the centre, told 3AW.

Officers earlier confirmed to the Herald Sun reports of “numerous people fighting” on Sunday afternoon.

A police spokesperson told the Melbourne paper that the were “responding to reports of numerous people fighting at a shopping centre on Murray Rd in Preston this afternoon”.

“The shopping centre has been locked down while the incident is ongoing,” she said.

“When we have further information and have confirmed specifics, we will update all media. We do not have anything further at this stage.”

Patrons took to social media to share to report the lockdown, with unverified images and video circulating purporting to be from inside the shopping centre.

“The shopping centre has been locked down while the incident is ongoing,” she said.

“When we have further information and have confirmed specifics, we will update all media. We do not have anything further at this stage.”

Patrons took to social media to share to report the lockdown, with unverified images and video circulating purporting to be from inside the shopping centre.

More to come.