Teenager Injured in Black Friday Sword Attack
A teenage boy was rushed to hospital after being injured with what witnesses described as a samurai sword at the bustling Merry Hill shopping centre in Brierley Hill, Dudley. The shocking incident occurred on Black Friday, November 28, sending waves of panic through the crowded mall.
Chaos in the Food Court
Shoppers and restaurant workers watched in horror as a group of individuals, described as 'roadmen', ran through the mall's food hall, known as Eat Central. According to an eyewitness working at a restaurant, "Three or four guys, roadmen, came running through here. One guy was chasing and then he slashed another guy".
The attack, which involved the victim being 'sashed' with the weapon, prompted immediate emergency response. West Midlands Police were alerted to a group of people 'armed with a weapon' just after 3.30pm. The West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the scene at 3.39pm.
Emergency Response and Return to Normalcy
Paramedics treated the teenager at the scene for his injuries before transporting him to hospital for a more thorough assessment. Fortunately, authorities confirmed that the youth did not sustain serious injuries.
Despite the alarming event, the food hall remained open for business. By early evening, the mall had largely returned to its normal Black Friday operations, though a visible police presence remained. Jonathan Poole, the Merry Hill centre manager, stated: "We are aware of an incident that occurred in the centre this afternoon and we are assisting West Midlands Police with its investigation".
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police added that officers were present in the area to both investigate the circumstances and provide reassurance to the public following the violent disturbance.
