A 13-year-old boy was punched and threatened with being stabbed outside the Britomart McDonald’s in Auckland’s CBD on Sunday, after refusing to hand over his $250 Nike TN shoes. Reported byThe New Zealand Herald
The teenager was with friends when a group of about six older boys confronted them, demanding his shoes. When he hesitated, one of the attackers allegedly punched him in the face and warned, “Give me your shoes or I’ll stab you.”
The frightened boy handed over his shoes before fleeing through nearby stores, desperately asking shop staff for a place to hide. He eventually found safety inside the Adidas store, where security guards stepped in.
His father, Kurt, told the New Zealand Herald that his son had gone out with friends “like any typical boys their age,” but the day quickly turned traumatic.
“We got a call around 3pm—my son was crying and said, ‘Dad, some guys have stolen my shoes,’” Kurt said. “He’s only 13. This shouldn’t happen in broad daylight.”
Kurt and his wife rushed to the city to find their son, who had escaped unharmed but was left shaken. He said what upset him most was that no one from the public intervened.
Police confirmed they received reports of an assault and robbery outside a Britomart business around 3.40pm and are investigating the incident.
The attack occurred just five days after a 13-year-old girl was brutally assaulted inside the same McDonald’s, raising growing concerns about youth violence and safety in Auckland’s CBD.
Kurt urged authorities to increase police patrols in the area. “A 13-year-old being robbed in broad daylight—what is happening to our city?” he said.
The family, originally from Sydney and now living in New Zealand for six years, said the incident has shattered their sense of security.
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