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South Australian Westfield shopping centre evacuated as armed youths brawl

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South Australian Westfield shopping centre evacuated as armed youths brawl

A major South Australian shopping centre was plunged into lockdown on Sunday afternoon on reports of groups of armed youths fighting in the shopping centre.

Just before 3pm on Sunday, police were called to Westfield Marion Shopping Centre on reports of two groups of young men fighting in the food court area.

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It was reported that some people in the groups were armed with weapons.

As a result, the shopping centre was plunged into lockdown, with digital signage inside telling shoppers to run or hide.

Heavily armed police were seen outside the centre.
Heavily armed police were seen outside the centre. Credit: 7NEWS
A sign inside the centre warning shoppers of an armed person.
A sign inside the centre warning shoppers of an armed person. Credit: 7NEWS

One witness told 7NEWS he and others in the centre’s cinema were told to “run for your lives”.

Armed police were called to the centre with a fence erected to keep the public out.

“Numerous police resources including STAR Group officers attended the centre to commence a search for the groups involved in the initial disturbance,” a South Australia Police spokesperson said.

“A thorough search of the centre was conducted, including rooftops, however the groups involved were not located.

“Several shoppers who sought refuge in shops were safely escorted from the centre.

“Police are satisfied that there is no ongoing threat to the community.

“Further investigations are being carried out to identify the groups involved.”

Shoppers are seen fleeing the centre.
Shoppers are seen fleeing the centre. Credit: 7NEWS

Witnesses told 7NEWS they were “petrified”.

“People just started flooding into the cinema, and just sprinting, yelling ‘run, run for your lives, someone’s in here’,” one said.

“We all just started running, people were piling over (each other), and we just ran out the exit.

“We were petrified.”

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