An 11-year-old boy in Markleysburg, PA, says a black bear chased him into a Family Dollar, coming within about a foot and a half before he and a cashier climbed onto the counter and exited safely. Surveillance footage shows the bear wandering the store for roughly 10 minutes before leaving on its own. No injuries were reported. Wildlife officials warn that bears accustomed to human food can become a problem and urge residents to remove attractants like bird feeders, unsecured trash and grills.
Terrifying Encounter: 11-Year-Old Chased into Family Dollar by Black Bear That Wanders Store for 10 Minutes
An 11-year-old boy in Markleysburg, PA, says a black bear chased him into a Family Dollar, coming within about a foot and a half before he and a cashier climbed onto the counter and exited safely. Surveillance footage shows the bear wandering the store for roughly 10 minutes before leaving on its own. No injuries were reported. Wildlife officials warn that bears accustomed to human food can become a problem and urge residents to remove attractants like bird feeders, unsecured trash and grills.
06:01 AM, 11/20/2025Society
An 11-year-old boy, Cole Frazee, was shopping with his father in Markleysburg, Pennsylvania, when he briefly stepped outside and came face to face with a black bear. Frazee says the animal chased him and he dashed back into the Family Dollar store, fearing the worst.
He recalled the bear came within about a foot and a half before he pushed into the store. Inside, Frazee ran through aisles while a cashier climbed onto the counter with him to stay out of reach. After the bear headed toward the rear of the shop, the two quickly gathered their belongings and left together.
Surveillance footage shows the bear alone in the store investigating the customer-service counter and wandering through aisles. The animal remained inside for roughly 10 minutes before leaving on its own; no injuries were reported.
Why this happens and how to prevent it
State wildlife authorities note that most black bears avoid people, but those that become accustomed to human food can appear indifferent and may enter neighborhoods or businesses seeking easy meals. Bears feed more heavily in the autumn, which often draws them closer to populated areas.
Prevention tips: Remove or secure attractants such as bird feeders, unsecured trash, and backyard grills. Use bear-proof containers when available, avoid leaving pet food outside, and report sightings to local wildlife officials.
Local wildlife and law enforcement agencies typically monitor such incidents and can offer guidance to residents about removing attractants and reporting future sightings. Frazee later described the experience as "one in a million" and said he felt relieved after the bear left.