On Dec. 5 a deer crashed through the front door of Gabriel's Christmas in Jonesborough, Tenn., raced through aisles of ornaments and garlands, and became stuck in a wooden chair behind the checkout counter. The Jonesborough Police Department posted video of officers dodging displays before seizing the animal's legs, carrying it outside and releasing it. Police quipped that the deer should "lay off the eggnog," and a store merchandiser said staff initially thought the story was a joke.
Deer Crashes Through Tennessee Christmas Shop, Gets Stuck in Chair — Police Release It With a Cheeky Warning
Dec 11
Jonesborough Police DepartmentReindeer being hauled out of a Christmas store.
A curious deer burst through the front door of Gabriel's Christmas, a year-round holiday shop in Jonesborough, Tennessee, on Dec. 5, leading police and shop staff on an unexpected indoor chase before becoming wedged in a wooden chair behind the checkout counter.
Video Captures Chaotic — And Comic — Encounter
The Jonesborough Police Department posted footage of the incident to Facebook showing officers dodging displays of ornaments and garlands as the animal raced through aisles. Even when out of view, the deer's clattering hooves could be heard among the merchandise. The chase ended when the animal became stuck in a chair behind the counter; officers then secured its legs, carried it out of the store, and released it safely on the sidewalk, where it dashed away.
"Only in Jonesborough would one of Santa's Reindeer come barreling through the front door of Gabriel's Christmas - clearly three sips too deep into the Holiday Spirits and making terrible life choices," the department joked in its post, adding that officers told the deer to "lay off the eggnog."
Store merchandiser Lisa Melancon told local station WJHL-TV that employees initially thought the story was a joke. She quipped that the deer might have been doing some last-minute holiday shopping. No injuries to people were reported, and staff were left amused and relieved after the animal was released.
Community Reaction
The lighthearted footage was widely shared on social media, with many viewers enjoying the unusual holiday moment. Authorities handled the situation without harm to the animal or customers, and the shop returned to normal business after the incident.
