A 17-year-old male from Newmarket faces five charges, including assault with a weapon, after an altercation at the food court in Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket Monday night, according to York Regional Police.
Officers responded to call about a group of youths fighting in the food court at approximately 7 p.m. July 11. Four male victims aged 16 and 17 were identified, police said. One youth was transported to hospital with a head wound, and was later released.
While police have not confirmed what weapon was used, an Upper Canada Mall employee, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of repercussion, said they saw footage of the incident after it happened. They said a teenage boy pulled a machete out of his backpack and start hitting another boy.
"I'm at the point where I don't want to work there anymore. There's a lot that happens," the employee told NewmarketToday.
One youth was arrested for two counts of assault with a weapon, one count of aggravated assault, one count of possession of a weapon and failure to comply with undertaking, police said.
The incident garnered some social media attention.
"There was blood on the floor but not a lot," commented a resident whose family was there at the time. "Lots of police."
Another incident involving police occurred just last month at the Newmarket mall's food court when a suspect set off an explosive device.
The anonymous employee, who said they witnessed the explosive incident, added even more that happens in the area that does not get widely reported.
"Which is crazy," they said. "I thought Newmarket was a nice little town."
