- Man who is lucky to be alive after alleged stabbing
- Was waiting for his partner outside the mall
- Three young people arrested, another on the run
Three teenagers have been arrested and another remains on the run after a man was allegedly stabbed ‘multiple times’ in a horrific attack in a busy shopping centre.
Emergency services were called to the Launceston Plaza Shopping Center in Tasmania about 8.45pm on Wednesday following an alleged altercation between a man and a group of teenagers.
Emergency responders arrived at “quite confronting scenes” and provided “life-saving” first aid to the man, 50, who was found seriously injured near the Kmart entrance to the complex.
He was rushed to hospital in a serious but stable condition after losing a significant amount of blood and later underwent surgery.
Shocked bystanders recalled seeing “police and blood everywhere” afterward.
The man is said to have waited for his wife before climbing to the roof, where an alleged altercation with the teens took place.
He managed to climb back down after reportedly being stabbed.
Police searched the surrounding streets on Thursday following an alleged stabbing outside a Launceston shopping centre
Photos from the scene show the external toilet block cordoned off with police tape, blood smeared on the wall and the ground strewn with rubble and medical supplies, including a first aid kit.
Witnesses told police that at the time of the incident, a group wearing dark, hooded clothing was spotted nearby and reportedly climbed onto the roof of the center.
Detectives launched an urgent manhunt and arrested two young people aged 15 and 16 a few hours later, early Thursday.
Detectives and forensic officers remained at the cordoned entrance to the mall on Thursday as they searched the parking lot and surrounding streets for evidence as the manhunt continued for two more alleged perpetrators.
A third teenager, 16, was later arrested.
The three are still in custody and are expected to be questioned by police later on Thursday
Charges are expected to be laid, Detective Inspector Andrew Hanson told reporters.
Victim required life-saving first aid after being found outside the Kmart entrance to the ATMX Plaza Shopping Center
A desperate manhunt continues for the fourth youth believed to be involved.
It is understood the man did not know his alleged attackers.
“He was there with his partner who was shopping inside and he stayed outside,” Inspector Hanson said.
“The decisions this gentleman has made are not in question here. The reality is that no one deserves to be stabbed to the point where their life is in danger.”
Inspector Hanson revealed police spoke to the victim, who was in ‘good spirits’ ahead of the operation despite the terrifying ordeal.
‘He suffered significant injuries and there was considerable blood loss. The scene was quite confrontational,” he said.
Police continue to review CCTV footage from the shopping centre.
Anyone with information or footage is urged to call 131 444 or Crime Stoppers
Police remained at the scene on Thursday