A teenager has been arrested after an Auckland mother and son were stabbed in a violent attack at their dairy last night.
Police examine the scene after a stabbing at Grey Lynn supprette, Hylite Dairy. Photo: RNZ/Anneke Smith
Police said this evening a 16-year-old youth was in custody after undergoing surgery today and was likely to face charges over the attack.
Police were called to Grey Lynn supprette, Hylite Dairy, at about 7pm after the male stabbed the pair before fleeing the scene towards Turangi Rd.
Detective Inspector Scott Beard said the woman's son was minding the shop when the male entered the store and waited for customers to leave.
He walked behind the counter and allegedly attacked the 36-year-old son before turning the knife on the mother after she came to her son's assistance.
The son had critical injuries after being stabbed multiple times while his mother was seriously injured.
Both were rushed to hopsital for surgery last night and were now in a stable condition.
Police followed a trail of blood to a knife they believed to be the weapon.
Police said the motive appeared to be robbery but hadn't been able to formally interview the stabbed pair and couldn't confirm if anything had been taken from the store.
Police cordon off the scene at Grey Lynn supprette, Hylite Dairy after a mother and son were stabbed. Photo: RNZ/Anneke Smith
Linda Wing, a Grey Lynn resident, said the incident had left people frightened about violence in the area.
"It's just disturbing. It's been getting a bit heavy around here. There seems to be more people on the street," Ms Wing said.
"I've been here for nine years and it seems to be getting heavier. People are more desperate and I wouldn't be suprised if it's drug related."
She described the victims as a lovely family and said security would have to tighten after the attack.
"It's just tragic. These people are nice people just trying to make a buck, make a living, and it's unfair. All the other shops next door and surrounding are closed today because of what has happened."
Tejinder Singh, who works at a Pizza Hut across the road from the crime scene, said he was shocked to learn of the attack.
Having worked in the area for 18 months, he thought it was a safe neighbourhood and had never had a bad experience.
"It's a posh area so I never thought this is going to happen here," Mr Singh said.
The police said they believed a number of people may have witnessed the attacker fleeing the scene and urged them to contact police immediately.