Supermarket giant Coles has made the decision to stop selling knives at its stores across Australia after an attempted murder of an employee in Queensland.
On Jan. 13, police allege a 13-year-old boy entered a Coles store in the Ipswich suburb of Yamanto, before stabbing a 63-year-old Coles employee in the back.
It is unclear whether the knife used in the attack had been taken from store shelves.
The woman remains in a critical but stable condition in Princess Alexander Hospital.
“Coles has made the decision to withdraw its range of kitchen knives for sale from supermarkets across Australia,” a Coles spokesperson said in a statement provided to The Epoch Times.
Shoppers using Flybuys credits to collect Smeg brand knives will be able to do so until Jan. 21, however, the knives will be stored behind service desks.
“Coles complies with all legislation regarding the sale of kitchen knives, and this withdrawal is being taken out of an abundance of caution as we conduct a review,” the spokesperson said.
“The safety of our team members and customers is our number one priority across all aspects of our business.”
Queensland Police Detective Inspector Michael Manago said the employee had been going about her duties when she was approached and attacked.
“This is an abhorrent crime that occurred to an innocent, 63-year-old woman who is going about her daily employment at that shopping centre and it shouldn’t happen in society,” he said.
Police say the attack was random and that the boy was acting alone.
A staff member of Say Sushi, Dshering Dema, witnessed the horror attack after hearing the worker screaming and seeing her lying on the ground with blood pooling around her body.
“It was very scary, I came back and was shaking,” she told AAP.
“I now feel very unsafe here.”
The incident follows that of the stabbing death of 70-year-old Vyleen White in the neighbouring Redbank Plains during an attempted carjacking by four youths. A 16-year-old was charged with murder and remains in custody.
More Tough Sentencing Laws in the Pipeline
Police say they have provided “extra-high visibility” patrols at Yamanto Central, where the attack occurred.Queensland Premier David Crisafulli, who in December brought in major reforms to toughen youth sentences for 13 serious crimes, said locals were fed up while hinting at even tougher future measures.
“I’ve already indicated that we are putting together an expert panel to do future changes,” he said.
The teen’s matter was briefly mentioned in Ipswich Magistrate’s Court on Jan. 14, where a duty lawyer requested an adjournment in order for a brief of evidence to be prepared.
The teen’s case will be heard again on Jan. 25.
