Teenager hospitalized after stabbing at Melbourne shopping centre

An 18-year-old boy is in the hospital after being stabbed at a shopping center in Melbourne. The incident occurred in an underground car park at the Pacific Werribee Shopping Centre yesterday afternoon. Police said the teenager was involved in a fight with another boy around 4 PM. He suffered serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital. Shoppers at the mall were put on lockdown during the incident. One shopper described the experience on social media as very traumatic and surprising. Authorities have arrested a 16-year-old boy nearby. He has been interviewed and charged with causing serious injury, possessing a drug, and having a controlled weapon. This incident took place just hours before the state parliament passed new laws aimed at tackling crime. These include stricter bail laws and a statewide ban on machetes set to begin on September 1. Officials also reported that youth crime in Victoria has reached its highest rate in thirty years. The 16-year-old has been remanded and will appear in children’s court later.