New Jersey’s American Dream mall, the second largest mall in the United States, was evacuated shortly after opening on Black Friday due to a bomb threat, which was later determined to be unfounded, according to police.
At approximately 7:13 a.m. ET on Friday, just after American Dream opened its doors at 7 a.m., police received a report of a bomb inside the mall.
Officers then evacuated the shopping center to conduct a search, as stated by a spokesperson for the New Jersey State Police.
The New Jersey State Police’s bomb and K-9 units conducted a thorough sweep of the East Rutherford mall but found no explosive devices, the spokesperson reported.
The mall was reopened to shoppers and retail workers around 9:15 a.m., as confirmed by American Dream.
“The mall has been deemed safe and American Dream will resume normal operations. The investigation is still ongoing, and no further details are available at this time,” the spokesperson added.
In response to the evacuation, American Dream issued a statement saying, “American Dream was evacuated this morning following what was later determined to be a non-credible threat.
This precautionary measure was taken to ensure the safety of our employees and guests, which remains our top priority.
The center has reopened, and we look forward to a safe and enjoyable holiday season.”
Before the mall reopened, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy shared information about the evacuation on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He advised shoppers to follow law enforcement instructions and safely exit the building. “We will stay vigilant to ensure everyone’s safety this holiday season,” he said after the mall had reopened.
The evacuation occurred on Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year, when many Americans are expected to visit malls in search of holiday deals.
This shopping holiday can be risky due to the large crowds it attracts. In past years, incidents such as customer altercations and injuries from stampedes have occurred.
Additionally, there has been a rise in mass shooting incidents nationwide, affecting various retail establishments, including grocery stores and Walmart locations.
