Serious questions after shopper’s rampage

A rampage by a naked 18-year-old has sparked serious questions about an Adelaide shopping centre’s security response. Picture: 9News
A rampage by a naked 18-year-old has sparked serious questions about an Adelaide shopping centre’s security response. Picture: 9News

A rampage by a naked 18-year-old has sparked serious questions about an Adelaide shopping centre’s security response.

Witnesses to the Westfield Marion incident recorded the man dressed only in socks smashing glassware and coffee mugs on the floor. Witnesses say the man ran towards frightened shoppers and confronted a woman with a pram.

The incident ended when three people grabbed the man and wrestled him to the ground after subduing him with a trolley. It is understood that the man has a significant intellectual disability, and that those who de-escalated the incident were known to him.

A spokesperson for the Scentre group, which operates Westfield Australia, said “the safety and welfare of our customers, business partners and people is our highest priority.”

“Our team immediately engaged authorities and deployed security guards to support the customer and his carers whilst waiting for police to arrive.”

The man picked up glassware and mugs from a nearby Cibo Espresso coffee shop, smashing them on the ground. Picture: 9 News
The man picked up glassware and mugs from a nearby Cibo Espresso coffee shop, smashing them on the ground. Picture: 9 News

A woman who recorded the incident can be heard asking where security is as the man continues to throw glassware.

The man was not charged, with police treating it as a mental health incident.

“Where’s security?” a shopper can be heard saying as the man shatters glassware on the floor.

“We saw two security guards just standing there,” witness Michelle Palmer said. “(They) didn’t have their hands on him.”
Police said that all parties responded quickly to the incident and there is no ongoing investigation. Police assisted the man’s carers getting him home.

“The role of security personnel is to observe, report and escalate incidents to authorities as well as provide first aid and support emergency services when they are onsite,” a Scentre Group spokesperson said.

“They are not law enforcement. It is not our policy that they necessitate the use of force when responding to incidents.”

POSSIBLE GUNMAN MARION
Westfield Marion went into lockdown earlier this year after reports of teens armed with machetes inside the shopping centre. Picture: NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

This incident comes five months after three teens allegedly brandished machetes and batons around Westfield Marion, sending the shopping centre into lockdown and triggering a heavily armed police response.

The NSW Coroners Court is undertaking an inquest into potential failings in the mental health system and shopping centre security protocols after April’s mass stabbing at Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre, resulting in six deaths and further injuries.

The centre did not sound an alarm until a minute after the perpetrator, Joel Cauchi, was shot dead by police.

BONDI JUNCTION
In April this year, Joel Cauchi stabbed and killed six people and wounded many others before being shot dead by police at Westfield Bondi Junction. Picture: NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

A spokesperson for the Scentre group, said previously in relation to the inquiry that “our security relies upon the engagement, collaboration, and co-operation of government law-enforcement agencies to provide safety to our customers, particularly in incidents that necessitate the use of physical force.”

“Following the horrific attack at Westfield Bondi, we further heightened our security presence across all our Westfield destinations. We have introduced additional personal protective equipment including vests for all security team members, which has enhanced the prominence and visibility of our security team.”