New AT&T store set to open next week

UTICA, June 17 -- AT&T announced on Thursday that it will open its new store in New Hartford's Consumer Square on June 24.

The opening will take place nearly a month after a May 27 in-store shooting at the AT&T store in New York Mills. On June 7, Utica Daily News learned that the New York Mills store wouldn't open again, and the company would expedite the already planned move to New Hartford. 

On Thursday, AT&T spokesperson Kate MacKinnon said in an e-mail that there will be no ribbon-cutting ceremony, but the company is working on a tribute to Rome police officer Donald Moore, who may have saved the lives of a half-dozen people on the day of the shooting. 

"Given recent events, there will be no official grand opening event," th ee-mail said. "However, we are working with local officials on an event to honor Officer Moore in the near future." 

According to police, on May 27, 37-year-old AT&T employee Seth Turk was shot in the torso by 79-year-old Abe Dickan. Turk was taken to St. Elizabeth Medical Center where he underwent surgery.  

Dickan had six names of AT&T employees on a list found in his pocket, according to state police and police said five of the people on the list were in the store when he opened fire on Turk. However, after he shot Turk, Dickan was shot and killed by Moore, who was in the store awaiting service. 

MacKinnon asked that the media not come to the store to ask questions or take photos. 

"We realize that local interest in the new store may be high," she said. "Out of respect for our employees and what they have been through, we will not be granting requests for onsite interviews or photos inside our store."