South Australian police have issued a statement saying they are aware of an “incident” at Westfield Marion Shopping Centre in Adelaide.
Shoppers on Sunday afternoon were told that an armed offender was inside the Westfield centre, Nine News reports.
“Numerous police patrols are in attendance. At this point in time, police advise the public to stay away from the area,” the statement said without providing further details.
Westfield Marion.Credit:
It said a further update would be provided when more details were known.
Joy, a long-time resident in the local area, was at Kmart which is at the other end of the shopping centre from David Jones, when the emergency was announced.
She estimated that around 100 or so shoppers were in the store, told of the emergency and moved to the back of the store.
“They just kept saying over the loudspeaker that there was an emergency and I don’t think people really believed it until they actually pulled the doors down on the store,” Joy said.
“Once they pulled the doors down, then people realised something was happening.
“Nobody has really panicked and you can’t fault the Kmart staff, they have been absolutely excellent.