A calm afternoon in rural Pennsylvania took an unexpected and chilling twist when a child’s simple urge to check on his father led to an encounter no one in the small town of Markleysburg could have predicted. What began as an ordinary stop at a Family Dollar quickly spiraled into a scene that left hearts pounding and shoppers stunned. The full danger of the moment didn’t become clear until a massive shadow shifted behind him.
Image Source: CBS Philadelphia News/YouTube
Eleven-year-old Cole Frazee had barely stepped toward the entrance when he realized a large black bear had fixed its attention on him. Before he could even consider turning away, the animal lunged forward, forcing him to sprint into the store in sheer panic. His screams echoed through the aisles as the bear closed in, coming within what he believed was only inches of catching him.
Inside, the only other person present, the cashier, immediately saw the danger. The Pennsylvania lad darted between aisles as the bear barreled in after him. It left the pair no choice but to leap onto the counter in a desperate bid to escape.
A Narrow Escape Caught on Video at a Pennsylvania Family Dollar
The pair bolted out the doors the moment the bear shifted directions. Surveillance footage later captured the enormous animal vaulting over the checkout counter just seconds after they fled. The footage shown on CBS Philadelphia News showed the bear lingering inside the Pennsylvania store for nearly ten minutes, towering over displays and wandering before finally finding its way back outside.
Once safely in the car, Cole felt the weight of what had just happened. The Pennsylvania boy admitted he truly believed he might be attacked. Yet relief washed over him when he learned the bear eventually exited without harming anyone.
“I was relieved,” Frazee said. “It was definitely a crazy experience.”
Wildlife officials later explained that bears across Pennsylvania are aggressively searching for food this time of year, which can lead to unexpected and dangerous encounters like this one.
Although the scene was terrifying, the quick instincts of both Cole and the cashier helped ensure a safe ending for everyone involved. The incident served as a startling reminder that wildlife in Pennsylvania is active, unpredictable, and closer than many realize. Yet with caution and awareness, frightening encounters can still end on a hopeful note.
Emma Taylor 
Nina Franklin 
Kendra Quinn 
