A black bear that wandered into a Dollar General in Vernon Township on Tuesday afternoon was euthanized by police after injuring a 90-year-old woman inside, according to authorities.

The incident happened around 3:55 p.m. at the store on McAfee Road in Sussex County, New Jersey. Video recorded by customer Sean Clarkin, a local realtor, shows the bear pacing the aisles and coming face-to-face with shoppers as employees shouted for people to get out.

“The bear was going through the store. Seemed very timid. Just strolling through like he’s trying to get out,” Clarkin said.

Clarkin told News 12 he tried to steer the animal toward the exit, at one point using a shopping cart when the bear appeared to turn back toward customers.

“He tried to go back in. I grabbed a shopping cart and held it in front of me, and I gently nudged the bear away. Then the bear started to claw the cart. That got me a little nervous,” Clarkin recalled.

Police say earlier in the day, officers had responded to a nuisance bear after the same animal attacked a dog and chased two employees from a nearby business. Officers managed to drive it off, but later in the afternoon, dispatchers got a 911 call that the bear had entered Dollar General.

During the ordeal, police say the bear either bit or scratched a 90-year-old woman’s leg. She was transported to the hospital with a minor injury.

Officers say they followed the bear into a neighboring property across the street and, under state guidelines, shot and killed it.

Neighboring business employee Christine Flohr, who works at Mountain Dispensary, says she heard the gunfire.

“As soon as I heard the gunshot — my heart dropped. They said they had to shoot him because he was a nuisance bear,” Flohr said.

She added that the incident highlights the need for residents and businesses to secure trash.

“The takeaway is cover your garbage. Don’t feed the bears. The population is overburdening, and it needs to be controlled,” she said.

Police say the bear’s remains are now being tested for rabies.

Vernon Mayor Anthony Rossi told News 12 the incident remains under investigation, and he declined to comment further on concerns about trash and dumpsters until it is complete.

NJ Fish & Wildlife and Vernon police say they will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Community members say the situation could have been avoided and reflects a larger issue in Vernon — with open dumpsters and human food sources drawing bears into populated areas.