EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – A bomb threat led to the evacuation of the American Dream Mall on Black Friday, disrupting the busiest shopping day of the year. The New Jersey State Police responded promptly to the emergency situation, ensuring the immediate evacuation of all guests, employees, and tenants.
The police received information from an individual who claimed that a bomb had been planted inside the mall. In response to this potential threat, the authorities decided to evacuate the premises as a safety measure. New Jersey State Police specialized units, including Bomb Units and K-9 squads, conducted a thorough sweep of the mall in search of any explosive devices. However, their search yielded no such devices.
Officials subsequently confirmed that the mall was safe and would resume normal operations. The threat was ultimately classified as non-credible, but the authorities took every necessary step to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Shoppers waiting outside the mall expressed a range of emotions, from confusion to relief. The heavy police presence provided a sense of security for some, while others were understandably anxious and keen to get home.
Governor Phil Murphy initially alerted the public about the bomb threat investigation via Twitter. He later tweeted an update, stating that law enforcement had determined there was no imminent danger, but the investigation was ongoing.
In a statement released on Friday, American Dream said it was evacuated due to what was eventually labeled a non-credible threat. American Dream said their employee’s and guests’ safety is of the utmost importance and that they took this step out of an abundance of caution. The center has re-opened.
Is Black Friday Becoming Dangerous: Examples from Texas
EL PASO, Texas — Black Friday shopping in Texas can sometimes turn into a battlefield. From heated arguments to physical altercations, the Lone Star State has seen its fair share of crazy moments during the annual shopping extravaganza.
In a Black Friday fight that made headlines in 2012, a man at a Sears store in San Antonio thought he could cut in line. However, his aggressive move didn’t go unnoticed as he ended up punching the man he tried to bypass. In a shocking turn of events, the man who was punched, Jose Alonzo Salame, took out a gun and threatened his assailant before being apprehended by the police. Fortunately, no one was injured or killed.
Another notorious incident occurred in 2013 at a Walmart in Fort Worth, where a massive fight erupted, gaining international attention. Details about the cause of the fight were not provided, but the scene was chaotic and captured by multiple news outlets.
Unfortunately, Black Friday in El Paso hasn’t been without its share of violence either. In 2015, a Walmart in Northeast El Paso witnessed an elderly woman being trampled by a man who was desperate to snatch a 50-inch television. The incident, which was caught on video, went viral on YouTube and raised concerns about the aggressive behavior exhibited during Black Friday sales.
Subsequent years also saw more altercations, including one in 2017 where footage exclusively available on YouTube showed fights breaking out in El Paso. Most recently, in 2022, another brawl occurred between two individuals fighting over a coveted television. A video uploaded by the Papi & Piggie Show in Foot Hood captured the altercation, making it yet another example of the frenzy surrounding Black Friday deals.
While these incidents have gained significant attention online, they represent only a fraction of the altercations that may have taken place during Black Friday in Texas. It’s important to note that fights during this shopping event are not as prevalent as one might think. According to ABC13 in Houston, Texas ranks around 24 out of 50 states in terms of the likelihood of encountering a fight, indicating that such incidents are relatively uncommon.