Police are investigating the stabbing of a 16-year-old Cranebrook male at the Mondo area outside Westfield Shopping Centre, Penrith, on Thursday evening.
About 7pm, police were called to the Mondo after reports of a brawl and a stabbing.
The teenager was found injured, with a laceration to his arm and a stab wound to his shoulder and was transported by paramedics to Westmead Hospital in a stable condition.
Acting Superintendent, Damon Cox, said that once police arrived at the scene, the situation was subdued very quickly.
“There were about 150 to 200 youths in the area and they were moved on by police and a crime scene established… it was resolved within half an hour to an hour,” he said.
Detectives are pursuing a number of lines of enquiry to identify the culprit, including witness accounts from youth workers who were present at the time, as well as CCTV footage from the shopping centre.
A motive has not yet been established, but police are investigating whether the fight could have been organised through Facebook prior to the evening, or whether it was related to rival gangs or school groups.
A weapon has not yet been identified but police believe it was a “sharp instrument”.
Acting Superintendent Cox said that there are not normally disturbances at the Mondo despite the large numbers of teenagers who congregate there on Thursday evenings.
“The Mondo is not a problem area,” he said.
“They are kids and they have to hang around somewhere. We have an ongoing presence in the area but this will be increased because of this incident.
“Most importantly we are urging any witnesses or people with information about the brawl to come forward and speak with police.”
Anyone with information can contact Penrith Police through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
