Police Investigate Altercation at Jesmond Shopping Centre, Man Hospitalised with Chest Wound

8 September 2024

Emergency services were called to the car park of a shopping centre on Blue Gum Road, Jesmond, around 6:30pm on Thursday, 5th September 2024, following reports of a an alleged violent altercation between two individuals. NSW Police told Newy 87.8 that, when they arrived, the parties involved had already fled the scene, prompting officers from the Newcastle Police District to establish a crime scene and begin inquiries.

Later that evening, around 9:30pm, a man arrived at Calvary Mater Hospital in Waratah with a chest wound, believed to be related to the earlier incident. The police are continuing their investigation and have urged anyone with information to come forward.

A post shared in the Newcastle/Hunter Mums Facebook group further sheds light on the distress caused by the attack, The post reads:

“Trigger warning….
Hope the family is part of the page
To the family that witnessed the knife attack at Jesmond tonight, hope your little boy is ok and seemed very very scared and screaming and crying.
It’s a very surreal thing to see as an adult but as a kid that would have been very scary.”

UPDATE: Newy 87.8 has since been informed that, thankfully, the child did not witness the knife attack, he witnessed a few punches and an exploding milk bottle, but he didn’t witness the stabbing.

The witness also described how one of the people involved reportedly fled the scene by jumping onto a bus, while the other, believed to have been stabbed, also managed to leave before authorities arrived.

Community Reactions and Social Media Discussions

The incident quickly caught the attention of Newcastle residents, with many taking to social media to discuss what they had seen or heard about the altercation. One user shared, “There was a big brawl,” while another commented, “Normal day in Jesmond.”

Despite the lighthearted nature of some online comments, the severity of the situation remains a concern for many, especially those who witnessed the event first hand. The police investigation is ongoing, and they have asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

This is not the first time the Jesmond shopping centre has been the scene of violence, raising questions among locals about safety in the area, particularly during the evening. Recent reports of theft, vandalism, and now a stabbing have prompted further community concern.