A chaotic scene unfolded at Newport Centre Mall in Jersey City, New Jersey, on Saturday, November 29, after a suspicious package prompted an emergency evacuation and widespread panic among shoppers. The incident, which occurred during a busy weekend afternoon, left many shaken as crowds rushed to escape the mall.

Scenes of Panic and Confusion

As news spread inside the mall, fear escalated rapidly. Many shoppers, unsure of what was happening, began to run for exits—creating moments of chaos that left vulnerable individuals scrambling for safety.

One eyewitness, who shared their experience on Facebook, described the terror inside:

“I’m still trembling. There was a bomb threat at Newport Mall, and the panic was unlike anything I’ve ever felt. Watching people run — pushing past children, seniors, (me), and those with disabilities — broke my heart. Maybe it turns out to be nothing, but the fear in that moment was very real.”

Another shopper filmed police activity outside the mall and, trying to find humor amid the stress, captioned their video with:
“Not the way I wanted Zootopia 2 to end.”

Officials Respond

Jersey City Ward E Councilperson James Solomon issued a public statement shortly after:

“JCPD has just informed my office that a suspicious package was located near Newport Mall, and an investigation is currently ongoing. They ask that all residents avoid the Newport Mall until further notice. We will report back when we have more information.”

Police have not yet confirmed whether the item posed an actual threat, but the heavy emergency response and repeated K-9 alerts prompted authorities to take maximum precautions.

Evacuation Underway

Emergency crews, bomb technicians, and police units surrounded the mall through the afternoon as crowds gathered outside waiting for updates. Many shoppers were separated from family members during the rush and were reunited only after exiting the building.

As of the latest reports, the investigation remained active, and officials urged residents to avoid the area until the situation is fully resolved.

A Community Shaken

The incident has sparked conversation across social media about crowd safety, emergency responses in public spaces, and the vulnerability felt by children, seniors, and people with disabilities during fast-moving panic situations.

While authorities determine the nature of the suspicious package, those who were inside the mall continue to process the fear and confusion they experienced.

Further updates are expected as Jersey City Police continue their investigation.