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- The American Dream mall was evacuated on Black Friday due to a bomb threat.
- The mall has since reopened after an investigation from law enforcement, according to the New Jersey State Police.
- Located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, it is the second largest mall in the US.
The American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, was evacuated on Black Friday due to a bomb threat.
"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," the New Jersey State Police said in a statement on X.
The state police's bomb and K-9 units conducted a sweep of the mall for explosive devices, but found nothing. The mall was deemed safe and reopened by 11 a.m., though the investigation is ongoing, according to the agency's X account.
One of the mall's retail employees told Bloomberg that she's been on high alert due to the Israel-Hamas war. She added that she didn't feel comfortable entering the mall even after law enforcement said it was safe — though she eventually went in.
"Everyone has bills," she told Bloomberg. "Everybody should take threats seriously."
The American Dream mall is the second largest mall in the US at 3 million square feet. It houses over 100 stores, the country's largest indoor theme park and largest indoor water park, as well as a ferris wheel, indoor mini golf course, mirror maze, ice rink, indoor ski slope, and wave pool. The American Dream mall opened in 2019 after being in the works for decades.
The American Dream mall did not immediately respond to BI's request for comment.