According to police, the 44-year-old resident of Essendon was stabbed in the chest and neck outside Moonee Ponds Central shopping center around 4:30 pm today following a rapidly escalating argument between two men who were believed to be strangers.

Acting inspector Raj Tillekeratne reported that the victim, along with bystanders and security from the shopping center in the inner-north-west, apprehended the alleged assailant before the police arrived.

The 55-year-old from Fitzroy, who reportedly has a “significant” history of mental health issues, was in police custody tonight awaiting a medical evaluation before an interview could take place.

Tillekeratne confirmed the man was heard saying “allahu akhbar” – Arabic for “God is great” – after he was detained. 

The inspector said the counterterrorism command had been contacted and police had “nothing to indicate that this is either religiously or politically motivated” so were treating it as “random, isolated offending”.

Tillekeratne described the victim, who was tonight in a stable condition in Royal Melbourne Hospital, as “very brave” and “quite lucky”.

“There could have easily been worse than what really occurred,” he said.

“So it’s pretty, he’s pretty lucky, I’d say.”

Police will increase patrols in the area.

No charges have been laid.