Woolworths has pulled scissors and knives from its supermarket shelves across the country, after a security guard and customer were stabbed at a store in inner-north Melbourne.
On Wednesday, Brunswick man Rory McCauley, 20, was charged with attempted murder over the incident.
Police claimed he stabbed the two men around 8 a.m. on Monday at Woolworths in Barkley Square in Brunswick. Both were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while Mr. McCauley was hospitalized with injuries of his own.
Victoria Police said in a statement on Monday that investigators believe a 60-year-old shopper was standing in line at checkout when he heard screaming behind him.
“He turned around and allegedly was stabbed in the upper part of his body by a man who was in line,” the statement said.
“The victim turned away and the alleged perpetrator fled the store.”
Police claimed that shortly after, Mr McCauley stabbed a security guard who approached him after he heard screams coming from the supermarket. Subsequently, police fired lightning bolts and arrested Mr. McCauley.
A Woolworths spokesperson said Wednesday that with the safety and welfare of customers and employees in mind, it has pulled knives and scissors from sale across the country.
“Following a traumatic incident in one of our Victorian stores, we have taken the precautionary step of temporarily withdrawing knives and scissors from sale across the country,” a company spokesperson said.