CT mall employee hospitalized after customer throws ‘powdery substance’

An employee of a clothing store at the Meriden Mall was hospitalized after a customer threw a “powdery substance” at them, causing eye and throat irritations, police said.

On Thursday afternoon around 12:43 p.m., Hunters Ambulance, the Meriden Fire Department and the Meriden Police Department were dispatched to the Windsor store at the Meriden Mall, a retail store specializing in women’s clothing and on-trend fashions.

Reports said a customer allegedly threw a “powdery substance” at an employee, according to Deputy Chief Jeremiah Scully of the Meriden Police Department. The employee was reported to have eye irritation and “felt as if their throat was closing up.” Scully said.

As first responders arrived at the scene, the area was cordoned off and the victim was transported to MidState Medical Center, according to Scully.

The victim was listed in stable condition as of Thursday, Scully said.

According to Scully, the Meriden Fire Department confirmed the presence of a powdery substance in the area where the employee alleged it was thrown.

The Connecticut Department of Emergency Protection, Connecticut State Police Bomb Squad and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were called in to assist with the identification and collection of the powdery substance, Scully said.

According to Scully, the Windsor store will be closed until a private contractor can clean up the affected areas. The rest of the mall was operating normally, he added.

The Meriden Police Department’s Patrol and Detective Divisions are conducting the ongoing investigation and are working to gather video and witness statements. Two people of interest have been identified, Scully said, adding that police are not releasing their identities at this time.