16yo boy allegedly armed himself with boning knife off the shelf at House Geraldton in Stirlings Central

Witnesses and staff at a kitchen and homewares store in Geraldton were confronted with a frightening incident last week when a 16-year-old boy allegedly armed himself with a boning knife taken off the shelf. Staff at House in Stirlings Central have been offered counselling from their management following the shocking incident last Friday afternoon when an alleged car park fight between two 16-year-old boys spilled into their store. The chaotic incident saw crockery smashed and other items such as fry pans hurled throughout the centre, and a boning knife reportedly taken from the shelf, unboxed and weaponised. Geraldton police allege a fight broke out in the carpark of Stirlings Central Shopping Centre between two teenage boys, when a brick was thrown which allegedly hit the other boy. The alleged fight spilled into the centre and the altercation continued at House, where police say multiple items for sale were thrown around the area before a security guard intervened. According to a witness at the scene, a boy reportedly armed himself with a boning knife located inside the store and was “trying to kill the other”. “It’s a bit of a blur to me,” the witness said. “It really escalated, they were using knives, and crockery was smashed all over the joint.” Geraldton police acting office-in-charge Sen. Sgt Shilo O’Neill confirmed allegations had been made to police that a fry pan and a knife from the store were used during the ordeal. House store manager Sharon Munday said the aftercare by House management had been well received since the incident, but antisocial behaviour was becoming a problem at the centre. “Our regional manager travelled up (from Perth) to visit, the State manager was awesome, they contacted us straight away and made sure the shop was shut,” she said. Ms Munday said the company contacted the staff and provided counselling and allowed them to take Saturday off work when they were meant to be rostered on. “There’s been multiple incidents at our store,” she said. “We’ve had great support, the customer support has been great as well.” Assistant manager Michele Barnes agreed that crime at the shopping centre was worsening and said it was the third incident in a month involving police. A 16-year-old was arrested and charged with two counts of endangering the life, health or safety of a person, being armed to cause fear, disorderly behaviour and criminal damage and will appear in Geraldton Children’s Court on Tuesday, July 4.