Hazmat crews close mall after man throws white substance into store
Posted by: Jon Ben-Mayor on 10/17/2013 06:36 AM [ Comments ]
Hazmat crews were called in to a Sarasota mall after a man threw a white powdery substance into a Lens Crafters and then fled the scene. The Mall was shut down as a precaution and patrons were told to "shelter in place" until the powder could be identified.
NBC reports that the incident occurred just before noon on Tuesday, when the man threw what was then an unknown substance into the store before fleeing the area, according to police.
To store workers and passersby, it was unclear what the white powdery substance was. Police and hazmat crews responded, and the mall was shut down.
The mall was closed and shoppers inside it were asked to shelter in place until hazmat personnel could sample the substance and determine whether it was hazardous.
The substance turned out to be the cremated remains of the man's fiancee; Sarasota Police said that he sprinkled some of the ashes in places that were special to the couple. Officials said the woman had a connection to LensCrafters in the Westfield Southgate Mall and because of that, the man released some of the ashes there on Tuesday.
No charges will be filed against the man but the mall and the Sarasota Fire Department could seek to recover civil costs from the man, who wasn't identified.
To store workers and passersby, it was unclear what the white powdery substance was. Police and hazmat crews responded, and the mall was shut down.
The mall was closed and shoppers inside it were asked to shelter in place until hazmat personnel could sample the substance and determine whether it was hazardous.
The substance turned out to be the cremated remains of the man's fiancee; Sarasota Police said that he sprinkled some of the ashes in places that were special to the couple. Officials said the woman had a connection to LensCrafters in the Westfield Southgate Mall and because of that, the man released some of the ashes there on Tuesday.
No charges will be filed against the man but the mall and the Sarasota Fire Department could seek to recover civil costs from the man, who wasn't identified.
Comments