Man charged after knife threat at Logan Central shopping centre near Brisbane

A 22-year-old man has been charged after allegedly threatening shoppers with a knife at Logan Central Shopping Centre, near Brisbane, on Sunday morning. Musika Claude Ilongo, 22, was accused of producing a knife and threatening people inside the centre at about 10:40 a.m., police said.

Authorities described a sequence in which Ilongo allegedly dropped into a prayerful pose before attempting to kiss a woman he did not know. He then returned with a knife and allegedly assaulted a shopper. A witness told reporters that shoppers “went into panic mode” as the incident unfolded. Butcher shop employees intervened, chased him from the centre and warned others to stay away, fearing it could be a repeat of the Westfield Bondi Junction incident in Sydney in April 2024.

Police later arrested Ilongo after he ran through nearby streets. He has been charged with four counts of common assault in a public place while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance; two counts of making threats; and one count of going armed to cause fear. During the arrest, officers were heard saying, "Tell us where the knife is, dude," as they took him into custody.

Ilongo was refused bail in Beenleigh Local Court on Monday after prosecutors told the court he may have had a psychotic episode. The court was told Ilongo intends to contest the charges and will argue he acted in self-defence, 7News reported.

The case remains before Beenleigh Local Court as investigators review the events and the steps authorities took to secure the shopping centre that morning.