Bear euthanized after Vernon Dollar General rampage injures 90-year-old shopper

A bear rampaged through a Dollar General store in Vernon, New Jersey, injuring a 90-year-old shopper and prompting authorities to euthanize the animal. The 175-pound female black bear was captured on video roaming the Vernon store aisles on Tuesday; it first entered around 2 p.m., left before police arrived, then returned about two hours later and began terrorizing a restaurant next door. The incident unfolded as the bear chased employees and attacked a dog, according to The New York Times.

The dramatic sequence continued as the bear moved between the Dollar General and the adjacent property, briefly exiting and re-entering the store multiple times before authorities intervened. The encounter drew attention from local residents and highlighted how wildlife can intrude on suburban commercial spaces in parts of New Jersey.

A 65-year-old real estate agent, Sean Clarkin, intervened and guided the bear outside, a moment captured on video that later circulated online. Clarkin told The New York Times that his goal was simply to remove the animal from the store: “Getting the bear out of the store seemed like the thing to do.” In the footage, the bear is seen wandering through the aisles before Clarkin leads it toward the exit and away from shoppers.

Police officers located the bear in the parking lot after it had left the store and followed it across the street. State wildlife officials later determined the animal needed to be euthanized. New Jersey Fish and Wildlife collected the bear for rabies testing, with results expected to be released as part of the agency’s ongoing reports.

Restaurant owner Aaron Glading, whose business sits beside the Dollar General, told The New York Times he brought his dog to the vet after the incident. “The bear tackled my dog, but he didn’t even bite my dog — no scratch marks, nothing,” Glading said, describing the close encounter. He added that the dog showed no lasting injuries, but the event underscored the danger such wildlife poses when it enters populated areas.

Authorities urged residents to remain cautious and to report any wildlife encounters promptly. The rabies test results will help determine whether any additional public health actions are required, though officials stressed that the decision to euthanize was driven by the animal’s repeated forays and the potential risk to people nearby. Local officials said they will review the incident to understand how the bear ended up in a retail area and what measures could prevent a recurrence in the Vernon area.