A teenage boy was attacked and stabbed at the Merry Hill shopping centre on one of the year's busiest retail days, causing significant disruption and a major police response.
Chaos on Black Friday
The violent incident occurred on Friday, November 28, during the Black Friday sales frenzy that traditionally draws massive crowds to the shopping complex. West Midlands Police received the first emergency calls at just after 3:30 pm reporting a group of individuals armed with a weapon inside the centre.
According to eyewitness accounts from restaurant staff, the attack took place specifically within the Eat Central food hall. One staff member reported seeing three or four people running through the area and witnessed one individual being "slashed" during the confrontation.
Emergency Response and Investigation
The West Midlands Ambulance Service was dispatched to the scene at 3:39 pm, deploying multiple resources including:
- An ambulance
- A paramedic officer
- A Critical Care Car
Police officers were quickly deployed throughout the area both to investigate the stabbing and to provide reassurance to concerned shoppers. The teenage victim received treatment for injuries that authorities confirmed were not believed to be serious before being transported to hospital for further assessment.
Public Impact and Ongoing Inquiry
The incident caused substantial disruption throughout the shopping centre and surrounding areas. Roads around Merry Hill became gridlocked following the attack, with many shoppers reporting facing lengthy queues while attempting to exit car parks.
Despite the initial chaos, shopping routines had largely returned to normal by early evening. One shopper commented they were "not surprised" by the outbreak of violence given the intense crowds typical of Black Friday.
Merry Hill management is actively assisting West Midlands Police with their investigation into the stabbing. The centre manager has emphasised that customer safety remains their top priority as the inquiry continues.
