Man attacks woman with an axe in Melbourne shopping centre
Police have arrested a man after he attacked a woman with an axe inside Melbourne's Fountain Gate shopping centre.
The woman has been taken to The Alfred hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Victoria Police said the man struck the woman with an axe several times just after 10am on Monday morning.
"The exact cause of the incident is being investigated but it is believed parties are known to each other," Victoria Police said in a statement.
Some businesses are still cordoned off while police investigate.
News of the attack spread quickly through the shopping centre with shocked customers fearing the woman had been killed.
"The story goes that someone got killed with an axe or something," a cafe worker said.
"People are just curious (and) shocked but many people going about their business," Renee Eido said.
Businesses around The Beauty and Brow Parlour have been cordoned off while police investigate.
An assistant manager at a nearby Jewellery store, Tracey Wilson, said staff were shocked.
"All we heard was yelling and screaming," she said.
"I ran out and heard somebody say 'call security'.
"Then we heard there had been an axing of a staff member from one of the stores.
"(It has made me feel) a bit on edge."
Anyone who witnessed the incident or with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
