Diners at a popular eating spot on Auckland North Shore were witness to terrifying events on Monday night.
Three people suffered injuries after a man, said to be carrying weapons including an axe, entered a series of Auckland restaurants and began hitting diners.
A 24-year-old man was arrested at the scene, police said on Tuesday morning.
The incident took place at about 9pm on Corinthian Drive in Albany on Monday night.
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Police said they received multiple calls from the Albany area about several patrons of three restaurants being assaulted.
A staff member at one of the restaurants, who doesn’t want to be named, said it was horrible.
“A man entered the restaurant with no sign of anger on his face. Suddenly, he took a hammer-like thing out and attacked people sitting at a table.
“Some people ran towards the kitchen and we had no clue how to help them.
“I never saw anything like this ever in my life.”
Chris McKeen/Stuff
Zhanliang Malatang was one of three restaurants behind a cordon on Tuesday morning.
Waitematā CIB’s acting detective inspector Timothy Williams said: “Upon arrival, a 24-year-old male was arrested at the scene and is due to appear in the North Shore District Court this morning, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm,”
One person was seriously injured and taken to Auckland Hospital while two others are in a stable condition in North Shore Hospital.
A man who was eating at one of the three restaurants attacked told Newshub’s AM Show a man walked in with a massive demonstration hammer.
He hadn’t been paying much attention until he saw the man “swing a blow” and hit someone. The man with the hammer had said someone beat him, and “you guys think you can beat me too”. The diner told the man with the hammer to leave, and then told someone else to call the police.
CHRIS MCKEEN/Stuff
Abandoned tables at Zhanliang Malatang, one of the Albany restaurants where people were attacked on Monday night.
Another witness told RNZ a man had attacked people with weapons including an axe.
She told RNZ the man attacked her friend from behind with the axe, when she was at Maya Hotpot. Her friend was injured and has been taken to hospital.
A man walked with something wrapped in cloth, and when he unwrapped it she saw he had an axe, a pole and another item in the bundle, the witness told RNZ.
Dairy and Business Owners Group Chair Sunny Kaushal, who met mayor Wayne Brown last night to discuss safety of small business in Auckland, said restaurant owners were very scared to hear this news.
Chris McKeen/Stuff
Discarded serviettes could be seen inside Zhanliang Malatang.
“Business are under constant threat across the entire country and particularly in Auckland.
“Last nights incident has scared the business community.”
The police cordoned off several restaurants – including Zhang Liang Malatang, Yue’s Dumpling Kitchen and Maya Hotpot – on Monday night.
The cordon was still in place on Tuesday morning and police were present at first light.
CHRIS MCKEEN/Stuff
Police on Tuesday morning were still at the scene where three people were injured in an alleged axe attack in Albany.
Williams said further charges were expected.
“Police would like to reassure the public that initial enquiries suggest that this is an isolated incident, and we can confirm we are not seeking anyone further in relation to this incident.
“Enquiries into the incident remain ongoing and police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident.”
People can contact 105 to send any footage of the incident, quoting reference number 230620/0005, or can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
1 NEWS
Police allege the 24-year-old struck customers across three Albany restaurants with a weapon.