Westfield Marion was locked down and evacuated as groups of armed youths fought

A major South Australian shopping center was thrown into lockdown on Sunday afternoon following reports of groups of armed youths fighting in the mall.

On Sunday shortly before 3 p.m., police were called to Westfield Marion Mall following reports of two groups of young men fighting in the food court.

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It was reported that some members of the groups were armed.

As a result, the mall was plunged into lockdown, with a digital display inside telling shoppers to run or hide.

South African Police Deputy Commissioner Scott Duval told reporters it appeared a group of boys had approached and attacked another.

He described both groups as being under the age of 18 and said the weapons seen on CCTV cameras looked like extendable batons.

However, he acknowledged that some witnesses had reported that knives were involved and that police were aware that other weapons had been produced.

Witnesses directed police to the David Jones store inside the center, making it the initial focus.

“At this point we know the identities of two of the victims,” Duval said.

“We would say from the vision that we know this was not a random attack.”

A witness told 7NEWS that he and others in the center's cinema were ordered to “run for your life.”

Armed police were called to the center and a fence was erected to prevent the public from entering.

“Numerous police resources, including officers from STAR Group, attended the center to begin a search for groups involved in the initial disturbance,” a South Australia Police spokesperson said.

“A thorough search of the center was carried out, including the roofs, but the groups involved were not located.

“Several shoppers who sought shelter in stores were safely escorted from the center.

“Police are satisfied that there is no ongoing threat to the community.

“Further investigations are underway to identify the groups involved.”

Footage taken inside the mall's food court, believed to have been taken moments before chaos broke out, shows young men running around in hooded sweatshirts.

Witnesses told 7NEWS they were “petrified”.

“People started flocking to the cinema and sprinting, shouting 'run, run for your life, there's someone here',” one said.

“We all started running, people were piling up (on top of each other) and we ran towards the exit.

“We were petrified.”

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