[Updated, Tuesday, June 2] A Westfarms spokesperson said the shopping center on the West Hartford-Farmington line will be open Tuesday.
By Ronni Newton
Updated, Tuesday, June 2
After remaining closed for the entire day Monday, Westfarms will reopen to the public on Tuesday, a spokesperson said.
“Westfarms mall will be open today from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.,” spokesperson Amanda Sirica said in an email early Tuesday morning.
No incidents were reported on Monday.
Original story
Westfarms will not be open to the public Monday following rumors spreading on social media about possible violence planned at the shopping center on Monday afternoon.
Westfarms spokesperson Amanda Sirica shared the following statement late Monday morning: “We continue to partner with local law enforcement and have determined to close the center out of an abundance of caution. We will keep the community informed of our reopening plans.”
A message that had been posted on social media on Sunday and early Monday referenced rumors of a “riot” that was being scheduled for Monday afternoon, and warned customers to stay away.
West Hartford Police Department Capt. Michael Perruccio said the department was aware of the social media postings and that police would be “prepared to deal with whatever may or may not happen.”
Police said it did not appear there was a well-organized event in the works, he said.
“We encourage people to exercise their constitutional rights, but to do it in a way that’s lawful,” Perruccio said.
After being closed for several months amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Westfarms reopened the shopping center on May 20, as part of Phase 1 of “Reopen Connecticut.” Many of the individual retailers have not yet reopened.
Since the killing of George Floyd by a now-former police officer in Minneapolis last week, protests, some marked by violence, have taken in cities across the nation. Peaceful events took place in Hartford on Friday and Saturday, but there have not been any protests or rallies held in West Hartford.
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It wasn’t just closed out of “and abundance of caution” or “possible violence” – The mall was closed because of looting that was happening at Nordstrom. A friend was there and saw it with her own eyes. Why is this not being reported???