The country’s second-largest mall was evacuated due to a bomb threat just minutes after it opened early on Black Friday.
According to CNBC, the American Dream Mall, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, was cleared out only 13 minutes after its doors opened.
The sprawling shopping center opened its doors at 7 a.m. ET.
At 7:13, according to police, someone placed a call and claimed that an explosive device had been put into the building.
According to Syma Chowdhry of cable station News 12 New Jersey, people in the mall received an alert on their phones from police urging them to leave the area.
“For your safety, the NJSP has reported an emergency situation at the American Dream,” the message read. “All guests, tenants and employees should walk to the nearest exit and evacuate the building. DO NOT use the elevators. Walk to the nearest stairway and follow the exit signs.”
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
American Dream Mall is being evacuated right now.
Shoppers got this alert on their phones.
We are trying to confirm if this is a bomb threat.
This is happening on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
American Dream Mall opened at 7am today. pic.twitter.com/HpmOSvsnF7
— Syma Chowdhry (@SymaChowdhry) November 24, 2023
New Jersey State Police officers and K-9 units were dispatched to the mall, where it was thoroughly searched for two hours.
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The agency said in a statement on social media that the mall was cleared out of “an abundance of caution.”
American Dream Mall Update
At approximately 7:13 am an individual relayed information that there was a bomb inside of American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, Bergen County. Out of an abundance of caution the mall was evacuated. pic.twitter.com/c1sfqpvENY
— NJSP – New Jersey State Police (@NJSP) November 24, 2023
At 9:15 a.m., the mall was deemed safe for shoppers after no bomb was found.
Police later said that there was no threat to the public, but that an investigation into the threat was ongoing.
“The mall has been deemed safe and American Dream will be returning to normal operations,” police said. “This is still an active investigation and there is no additional information available.”
NJSP Bomb Unit and K-9 unit performed sweeps of the mall for explosive devices and none were found. The mall has been deemed safe and American Dream will be returning to normal operations. This is still an active investigation and there is no additional information available.
— NJSP – New Jersey State Police (@NJSP) November 24, 2023
Officials with the mall also issued a statement about its brief closure.
“American Dream was evacuated this morning following what was later deemed a non-credible threat. This was done out of an abundance of caution, as the safety of our employees and guests is and will always be our priority,” a statement obtained by CNBC read.
Mall officials concluded, “The center has already re-opened. We look forward to a joyous and safe holiday season.”
