Terrified shoppers forced to hide in change rooms after teen allegedly brandished a fake gun in Mandurah Centre, Perth
Terrified shoppers, including a woman with a baby, were forced to hide after a teenager allegedly brandished a fake gun in a busy shopping centre.
The 17-year-old boy is said to have produced the fake black pistol at the Mandurah Forum on Pinjarra Road, an hour south of Perth, about 1.20pm on Friday.
It is understood the incident occurred after he was approached by another group of teenagers with whom he had previously had a fight.
The teen, from Meadow Springs, allegedly gave chase the group through the busy mall while pointing the fake gun at them.
Shoppers were forced to take cover as police officers entered the mall and were unable to leave until they were given permission.
Sportsgirl, Foot Locker and Cotton On will close their doors immediately.
Mandurah mother Pania Ripahou had to cower in a Cotton On locker room with her seven-month-old baby.
‘We were afraid. There were a lot of mothers in the store and he was at the front door,” Ms Ripahou said PerthNow.
Shoppers were forced to hide in clothing store changing rooms at the Mandurah Forum on Pinjarra Road in Perth at 1.20pm on Friday
‘I don’t think I felt unsafe, I felt confused. It’s when I digested it [afterwards] that I realized how serious it was.’
Ms Ripahou said she was only approached once by security, who asked whether the store would reopen or not.
‘I hope this has woken up the centre. I think everyone is learning that there is a lack of vigilance. There are some protocols that need to be put in place,” she said.
WA Police said members of the public were concerned the firearm was real and could fire a bullet.
“Several stores in the mall implemented emergency closures during the incident,” the statement said.
“The firearm was located by police and it was confirmed to be an imitation firearm that was unable to fire a projectile.”
It is alleged that a 17-year-old teenager brandished a black handgun when he was approached by another group he had previously argued with at the mall.
The 17-year-old was charged with being armed in a manner likely to cause fear and will appear in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on October 14.
Vicinity Centres, which owns Mandurah Forum, said it is assisting WA Police.
‘The safety of our visitors, retailers, team and the wider community is our priority. As the matter is the subject of a police investigation, we cannot provide further details,” a spokeswoman said.
WA police are also speaking to other witnesses and parties about the incident.