Residents in the local area were caught in the middle of a security incident at a Westfield shopping centre, where an active armed offender was reported. The incident prompted emergency protocols to be put in place, with shoppers being evacuated from certain stores and taken to safety. One witness, named Joy, described how she was at Kmart at the time of the emergency announcement and saw shoppers being moved to the back of the store while staff kept everyone calm and provided blankets and food.
As the situation unfolded, videos emerged showing officers from South Australia Police’s Special Tasks and Rescue Unit inside the shopping centre. The officers could be seen wearing tactical gear, carrying shields, and brandishing guns as they worked to secure the area. The footage also showed shops with their shutters down, creating an eerie and empty scene within the shopping centre. Joy recalled being locked down in Kmart with other shoppers for about an hour as police continued their operations, with no clear indication of when they would be allowed to leave.
Despite the tense situation, Joy noted that people in the store remained calm and were in contact with family and loved ones to keep updated on the situation. Kmart staff were praised for their handling of the emergency, with Joy describing them as “absolutely brilliant” for their efforts to keep everyone safe and informed. The staff provided blankets to those who were cold and ensured that everyone stayed calm and composed while waiting for further instructions from police. The shoppers were told that they could not leave until police declared it was safe to do so.
It was revealed that the incident at Westfield was part of a planned exercise involving the shopping centre and South Australia Police. The collaboration between Westfield and the police was described as fortuitous, given the timing of the exercise coinciding with the security incident. The exercise allowed both parties to practice their response to an active armed offender scenario and test their emergency protocols and procedures. This joint effort highlighted the importance of preparedness and coordination in dealing with potential security threats in public spaces.
South Australia Police’s STAR officers, who are trained to handle armed offenders, were involved in the operation at Westfield. Their duties include apprehending armed offenders and ensuring the safety of civilians in dangerous situations. The presence of these highly trained officers reassured shoppers that the situation was being handled by experienced professionals who were equipped to handle such incidents. While the details of the security incident were unclear to those sheltering in place at Kmart, the actions of the police and the reassurance from staff helped maintain a sense of calm and order during the ordeal.
