Police were called to the Charlestown shopping centre on Ridley Street about 8.40pm Wednesday, after reports of an assault.

Officers found a 32-year-old man with stab wounds to his arm. 

The man was treated by paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital for further treatment.

Police arrested two 17-year-old boys nearby and they were later charged with intent to cause grievous bodily harm

One of the teenagers was also charged with drug possession. The pair are due to face children’s court today.

The stabbing came after the fatal stabbing of an 83-year-old man in a car park near the same shopping centre.

The man was found unresponsive around 9.50am on Wednesday in what police said allege was a “senseless” and “random” stabbing.

The alleged attacker sent several schools near the shopping strip in Charlestown into lockdown amid a manhunt that lasted about three hours about 9.50am yesterday.

Police said the elderly man appeared to have suffered multiple stab wounds. 

A 53-year-old man has been arrested and charged over the incident.