Young man taken to hospital after being assaulted at Southgate Centre in south Edmonton

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect new information from police Thursday regarding the age of  the victim.

An 18-year-old man was stabbed and physically assaulted at Southgate Centre Wednesday afternoon and taken to hospital in serious condition.

Edmonton Police Service members and AHS EMS responded to an incident at the mall near Whitemud Drive and 111 Street in south Edmonton around 3:40 p.m.

It was reported to police that a disturbance involved several people happened near the mall’s food court, which led to the 18-year-old person being injured.

Alberta Health Service said the male was taken to hospital in serious but non-life-threatening condition. On Thursday, police said he was in stable condition in hospital.

One suspect, a 16-year-old youth, is in custody, and police said officers are currently attempting to identify additional suspects still at large.

No charges had been laid as of Thursday.

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Investigators believe this incident was targeted and not random in nature, EPS said.

Edmonton Police Service members and mall security were seen inside the mall and the food court was blocked off.

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Edmonton police said access to Southgate Mall through the food court and west to the LRT Station was unavailable as police continue to investigate.

Later in the afternoon, the entire mall appeared to be closed and signs were posted on doors saying it would reopen Thursday at 10 a.m.

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It’s the same shopping mall where Bunches Flowers co-owner Iain Armstrong was fatally attacked while trying to stop a robbery in 2018.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or the outstanding suspects is asked to contact police.

Southgate Centre said the safety of its guests, tenants, and employees is its number one priority.

“We are collaborating with the Edmonton police department on the ongoing investigation. Any questions pertaining to the investigation should be redirected to the authorities,” a marketing manager said in a statement.