A 90-year-old shopper’s frightening encounter with a black bear inside Dollar General
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It started like any other afternoon in a small New Jersey town—until shoppers at a local Dollar General found themselves face-to-face with an unexpected visitor.
A black bear wandered through the automatic doors, startling customers and staff alike.
What unfolded was a series of tense encounters that stretched across town, leaving one woman injured, a dog chased, and police scrambling to keep the community safe.
In the midst of it all, an unlikely hero stepped forward to help guide the bear out of harm’s way.
Here’s how the events played out, and what experts say you should do if you ever find yourself in a similar situation.
On a Tuesday afternoon around 2 p.m., a 175-pound female black bear strolled into a Dollar General in Vernon, New Jersey.
Shoppers scattered as the bear roamed the aisles, likely drawn by the smell of food or simple curiosity.
Police arrived after the bear left on its own, but the situation didn’t end there.
Two hours later, the same bear reappeared in the area—this time causing chaos at a nearby restaurant.
Employees fled as the animal chased them, and the owner’s dog was even attacked.
Fortunately, the dog escaped unharmed, but the bear wasn’t finished making her presence known.
When the bear returned once again to the Dollar General, 90-year-old shopper Louise was caught directly in its path.
In the commotion, the bear scratched her leg, leaving her with minor injuries.
She was quickly taken to the hospital, where she is expected to make a full recovery.
At the same time, 65-year-old real estate agent Sean Clarkin walked into the store for cleaning supplies and instead found himself stepping into the role of protector.
Using a steady voice and calm movements, he managed to guide the bear back toward the exit.
He later told The New York Times, “I went to the store to get some cleaning supplies, and there was a bear in the store. Getting the bear out of the store seemed like the thing to do.”
Local authorities soon tracked the bear to the parking lot and surrounding streets.
After observing its repeated aggressive behavior, officials made the difficult decision to euthanize the animal.
The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife collected the bear for rabies testing, and results are pending.
Source: Facebook / Sean F. Clarkin
Black bears are native to New Jersey and much of the eastern United States.
Wildlife experts say encounters are becoming more common as development reduces natural habitats, pushing animals into towns in search of food.
Stores and restaurants can seem like an easy source of meals when trash or pet food is left unsecured.
Bears typically avoid humans, but those that become accustomed to people lose their natural caution, making encounters riskier for both sides.
To reduce these incidents, residents are urged to keep garbage secured, remove outdoor food sources, and promptly report bear sightings.
Wildlife officials stress that while dramatic stories grab headlines, most bear encounters can be managed safely if handled correctly.
Here are some guidelines:
If you’re in a public place like a store or restaurant, help others remain calm and move to safety.
Or, as Sean Clarkin wisely advised during the Dollar General incident: “Get in your car!”
Though the story could have ended much worse, it highlighted the quick thinking and resilience of everyday people.
A 90-year-old shopper walked away with only minor injuries, a neighbor showed courage in guiding the animal out, and authorities acted quickly to protect the public.
It’s also a reminder that even the most ordinary day can take an unexpected turn—and that communities often come together strongest in those moments.
Read next:
Have you ever crossed paths with a wild animal in an unusual place? What would you do if you suddenly found yourself sharing the aisle with a bear?
Share your thoughts, experiences, or safety tips in the comments below. At The GrayVine, we believe that learning from each other’s stories makes us all better prepared.
A black bear wandered through the automatic doors, startling customers and staff alike.
What unfolded was a series of tense encounters that stretched across town, leaving one woman injured, a dog chased, and police scrambling to keep the community safe.
In the midst of it all, an unlikely hero stepped forward to help guide the bear out of harm’s way.
Here’s how the events played out, and what experts say you should do if you ever find yourself in a similar situation.
Shoppers in Vernon, New Jersey, were startled when a black bear wandered into a Dollar General store. Image Source: Facebook / Sean F. Clarkin.
A bear walks into a store
On a Tuesday afternoon around 2 p.m., a 175-pound female black bear strolled into a Dollar General in Vernon, New Jersey.
Shoppers scattered as the bear roamed the aisles, likely drawn by the smell of food or simple curiosity.
Police arrived after the bear left on its own, but the situation didn’t end there.
Two hours later, the same bear reappeared in the area—this time causing chaos at a nearby restaurant.
Employees fled as the animal chased them, and the owner’s dog was even attacked.
Fortunately, the dog escaped unharmed, but the bear wasn’t finished making her presence known.
Also read: He was left behind—now he’s America’s favorite baby bear!
Face-to-face with danger
When the bear returned once again to the Dollar General, 90-year-old shopper Louise was caught directly in its path.
In the commotion, the bear scratched her leg, leaving her with minor injuries.
She was quickly taken to the hospital, where she is expected to make a full recovery.
At the same time, 65-year-old real estate agent Sean Clarkin walked into the store for cleaning supplies and instead found himself stepping into the role of protector.
Using a steady voice and calm movements, he managed to guide the bear back toward the exit.
He later told The New York Times, “I went to the store to get some cleaning supplies, and there was a bear in the store. Getting the bear out of the store seemed like the thing to do.”
Also read: Shocking truth: How one 911 call exposed a raccoon nightmare!
Police take action
Local authorities soon tracked the bear to the parking lot and surrounding streets.
After observing its repeated aggressive behavior, officials made the difficult decision to euthanize the animal.
The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife collected the bear for rabies testing, and results are pending.
Source: Facebook / Sean F. Clarkin
Also read: Cooking bear meat? This shocking parasite outbreak warning is for you
Why bear encounters are increasing
Black bears are native to New Jersey and much of the eastern United States.
Wildlife experts say encounters are becoming more common as development reduces natural habitats, pushing animals into towns in search of food.
Stores and restaurants can seem like an easy source of meals when trash or pet food is left unsecured.
Bears typically avoid humans, but those that become accustomed to people lose their natural caution, making encounters riskier for both sides.
To reduce these incidents, residents are urged to keep garbage secured, remove outdoor food sources, and promptly report bear sightings.
Also read: This man’s body became a breeding ground for creatures–see the bone-chilling X-ray!
What to do if you encounter a bear
Wildlife officials stress that while dramatic stories grab headlines, most bear encounters can be managed safely if handled correctly.
Here are some guidelines:
- Stay calm: Running can trigger a chase response.
- Make yourself look bigger: Stand tall, wave your arms, and use a firm voice.
- Back away slowly: Give the bear space to leave on its own.
- Never approach: Don’t try to feed or interact with a wild bear.
- Report it: Alert local authorities so they can monitor the situation.
If you’re in a public place like a store or restaurant, help others remain calm and move to safety.
Or, as Sean Clarkin wisely advised during the Dollar General incident: “Get in your car!”
Also read: These hidden havens across the US are perfect for your next quiet escape
A community response
Though the story could have ended much worse, it highlighted the quick thinking and resilience of everyday people.
A 90-year-old shopper walked away with only minor injuries, a neighbor showed courage in guiding the animal out, and authorities acted quickly to protect the public.
It’s also a reminder that even the most ordinary day can take an unexpected turn—and that communities often come together strongest in those moments.
Read next:
- Are you brave enough to solve America’s rodent crisis with your next meal? Find out how!
- Rare virus expands to new regions, prompting global health warning
- A tragic twist: How a life-saving transplant led to a fatal case of rabies
Have you ever crossed paths with a wild animal in an unusual place? What would you do if you suddenly found yourself sharing the aisle with a bear?
Share your thoughts, experiences, or safety tips in the comments below. At The GrayVine, we believe that learning from each other’s stories makes us all better prepared.
