Craigieburn Central Shopping Centre in Melbourne’s north was placed into lockdown on Thursday evening, August 13, 2026, following reports of shots fired during an altercation involving groups of males allegedly armed with machetes. (ABC News)

Craigieburn Central

Craigieburn Central Web Address: 340 Craigieburn Rd, Craigieburn VIC 3064, Australia Phone: +61383240445

Victoria Police said officers were called to the shopping centre at about 7:10 p.m. after receiving reports that two groups of males were arguing and that two gunshots had been heard. Police said the groups were reportedly carrying machetes. (ABC News)

Craigieburn Central Lockdown

The reported incident triggered a precautionary lockdown at the shopping centre. Shoppers and workers were instructed to remain inside stores, with security shutters lowered in some areas while police responded to the reported threat. (Herald Sun)

Witnesses described scenes of panic as people attempted to move away from the confrontation. Some shoppers reportedly sheltered inside businesses while parents gathered children and waited for the situation to settle.

One witness told ABC that he was at the centre with his six-year-old son when he heard what sounded like a gunshot. He said people inside the food outlet moved to the floor as the situation unfolded. (ABC News)

Police Find No Evidence of Shooting

Despite the initial reports of gunfire, Victoria Police later said there was no evidence that a shooting had actually occurred. Police also reported that there were no reported injuries connected with the incident. (ABC News)

The groups involved reportedly fled before police arrived. Investigators are now working to identify those involved and determine exactly what happened during the confrontation.

The incident nevertheless caused considerable alarm among shoppers, particularly because of reports that large machetes were being carried. Witnesses described seeing masked males and people running through the centre as the emergency unfolded. (ABC News)

Craigieburn Central Incident Investigation

Police are continuing their investigation and have appealed to anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information to come forward. Authorities are particularly interested in information that could help identify the people involved.

For readers searching Craigieburn Central lockdown, Craigieburn Central shots fired, Craigieburn Central machete, Melbourne shopping centre lockdown today, or Craigieburn Central latest news, the latest confirmed information is that police responded to reports of gunshots and a machete confrontation, but found no evidence of a shooting and no reported injuries. (ABC News)

The incident remains under investigation, and further details may be released as police establish a clearer account of what occurred.

This is a developing story, and information may change as Victoria Police provides additional updates. (ABC News)