Police are searching for two men after an apparent knife attack at a major Perth shopping centre on Friday afternoon.
Police were called to Westfield Carousel in Cannington at around 3:30pm after receiving reports of an altercation between three men.
They initially said a 20-year-old man had been slashed in the face with a knife by another man, who fled the scene.
On Friday evening police said a third man was involved in the incident and a second knife had been recovered from the scene.
They are looking for two males, and now say it is unclear how the victim was injured.
Police say there is no ongoing threat to the public “or further cause for alarm”.
The incident occurred almost a month after Joel Cauchi stabbed and killed six people and injured 12 at the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre in Sydney.
WA Police Inspector Geoff DeSanges said it was understandable people had been shaken by Friday’s incident.
“Considering what’s occurred in the eastern states, in Bondi in recent times, and other reports of knives in our community, it’s completely understandable that people would be concerned,” Inspector De Sanges said.
He said police were still working to determine whether the men were known to each other.
People had earlier been asked to avoid the area, while shoppers inside the centre were told to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious behaviour.
Shops reopen
Retail workers who spoke to the ABC said stores are now reopening after some shops were instructed to close their doors.
It is unclear whether all stores in the shopping centre were instructed to temporarily close.
Some stores chose to remain shut for the rest of the day.
Retail worker Jade Watson said she rushed out of her store after hearing screams.
“I sort of heard a little clank, like something dropping to the floor and everyone started running,” Ms Watson said.
Text messages quickly started circulating in a Carousel group chat, with workers telling each other to lock their doors.
Ms Watson said she and her manager immediately drew their door closed and locked in customers for about an hour.
“It’s just sad, what can you do anymore, you can’t even go to the shops and feel safe. Especially after everything that’s happened earlier this year with Bondi Junction.”
A Westfield Carousel spokesperson said the centre was working with police.
“The safety of our customers, business partners and people is our highest priority,” they said.
“Our centre team are assisting police in relation to this matter and will continue to do so.”
Westfield Carousel is about 12 kilometres south of Perth’s CBD and is one of the biggest shopping centres in the metropolitan area.
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