18 November 2025

Machete allegedly used by teen to attack woman in Tuggeranong mall

| By Albert McKnight
Start the conversation

Police want to identify this teen seen inside Big W at South.Point on 17 November. Photos: ACT Policing.

A woman was allegedly confronted by a group of teenage boys she’d never met before inside the Tuggeranong mall when one pulled out a machete and hit her with it.

ACT Policing have released security camera photos of the boy alleged to have wielded the machete in an attempt to identify him.

Multiple teenagers went to Big W at the South.Point shopping centre around 6 pm on Monday (17 November) when they got into an argument with a woman inside the store, the spokesperson alleged.

It is alleged one of the teens produced a machete and struck the woman on the arm with it, causing bruising. All of the teens then fled the store.

Police officers arrived and detained a 14-year-old boy who will be summonsed to appear in court at a later date on a charge of possessing a knife in a public place.

This is not related to the machete.

READ ALSO ‘Eternally in our hearts’: tennis coach’s family speaks when her killer is sentenced

Police also allegedly identified two more teens from the group and found them outside the mall.

“ACT Policing is seeking to identify a fourth teen who police believe struck the woman with the machete,” the police spokesperson said.

“He has dark hair and was wearing a dark hoodie and grey track pants.

“Officers are also seeking any witnesses to the incident who have not already spoken to police.”

If you can assist police, contact Crime Stoppers via the Crime Stoppers ACT website by clicking here. Quote 8220293.

When a person under the age of 18 commits an offence, they are legally unable to be publicly identified.

Free Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? We package the most-read Canberra stories and send them to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.
Loading
By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.

Start the conversation

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Region Canberra stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.