Bear terrorizes New Jersey Dollar General, bites 90-year-old woman before being shot

A black bear wandered inside a Dollar General store in Vernon, New Jersey, on Tuesday afternoon, biting a 90-year-old woman and prompting bystanders to flee before law enforcement fatally shot the animal, authorities said. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. and involved a bear described as a 175-pound female.

Witnesses said the bear roamed the aisles, lunging at shoppers and pets as it wandered the store. Video filmed by a local real estate agent showed the bear moving through the aisles while bystanders watched in fear. The agent tried to guide the animal toward an exit, while others attempted to keep distance.

The 90-year-old woman was bitten on the leg and was transported to a hospital for treatment. The bear also attacked a dog belonging to a nearby resident, according to authorities. Police tried to deter the animal with rubber bullets, but it continued to return to the store.

The bear ultimately was shot by officers after it repeatedly returned to the storefront, despite efforts to corral it back into the woods. A witness described feeling emotional after the animal's death; others recalled the tense scene as the bear paced inside the store.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection s Fish and Wildlife Division opened an investigation into the incident. Sean F. Clarkin, a local real estate agent who posted video of the scene online, later wrote that unsecured dumpsters at nearby restaurants and businesses likely contributed to the problem by drawing bears into human habitats. If dumpsters are left unsecured, bears can develop a reliance on human food, creating conflicts that may lead to more frequent encounters with people and property.

Officials stressed that such encounters are part of a broader pattern of human-wildlife conflicts in suburban areas. They urged residents to secure dumpsters, avoid leaving food waste accessible to wildlife, and report any aggressive animal behavior promptly to authorities.

The Vernon incident underscores ongoing debates about bear management and urban coexistence. Wildlife officials said the goal remains reducing attractants to bear populations to prevent future dangerous encounters, and they cautioned that even in populated areas, bears are still wild and capable of unpredictable behavior.

The episode serves as a reminder of the challenges communities face as urban and natural habitats increasingly intersect. Local and state authorities say that proactive waste management and public awareness are key to reducing such dangerous conflicts in the years ahead.

Emergency responders and wildlife officials continue to monitor reports of bear activity in the region and to advise residents on safety practices. The investigation into this case is ongoing, and more details are expected to be released as investigators compile witness statements and review video evidence. Community leaders are calling for strengthened enforcement of waste disposal regulations and improved deterrence measures to prevent future incidents.