Crown Casino Stabbing Melbourne, VIC – Police have arrested five teenagers following a violent stabbing incident in Southbank early Saturday morning that left a father and son hospitalized.

According to Victoria Police, emergency services were called to the Yarra Promenade, near Crown Casino, around 1:50 a.m. after reports of a brawl involving a group of youths and members of a family.

Investigators said the victims — a 47-year-old father and his 23-year-old son — were walking with other family members when a group of teenagers passed by and one youth allegedly bumped into a member of the family. A brief verbal exchange followed, escalating quickly into a violent confrontation.

During the altercation, the pair were physically assaulted and stabbed before the group of attackers fled the scene.

Both victims were taken to hospital with suspected non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Responding officers quickly tracked down and arrested five male teenagers, aged between 14 and 17, who were seen running from the area shortly after the attack. All five remain in custody and are expected to be interviewed in relation to the incident.

Detectives from the Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit are now leading the investigation.

Authorities are urging anyone who may have witnessed the assault or captured the incident on mobile phone or dashcam footage to come forward.

“We’re appealing to anyone who was in the area or who may have filmed what happened to contact Crime Stoppers,” police said in a statement.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

The Southbank community has been left shaken by the early morning attack, which occurred in one of Melbourne’s busiest nightlife and entertainment districts.

Police have reassured the public that there is no ongoing threat as the investigation continues.