Deer Crashes Into TJ Maxx Store Trying to Beat Black Friday Crowds

Black Friday has scaled back over the past couple of years from pre-pandemic times when many retailers were open for in-person shopping on Thanksgiving Day. However, one deer in Maine apparently did not get the memo, and crashed into a Rockland area TJ Maxx while most people were enjoying their holiday. And the whole thing was caught on video.

The Rockland Police Department shared the footage on its Facebook page, writing that around 1:00 p.m., officers responded to an alarm call at a local retailer.

“Upon their arrival, they found a large front glass window smashed out and items knocked over inside,” the post states. “Rockland Police were assisted by officers from other jurisdictions and quickly secured the entry and exit points; before beginning their search of the building for the burglar(s) who were still suspected to be inside the store.”

But while clearing the building, “officers were met with a fawn-tasic surprise” which was “caught like deer in the headlights.” Inside, they discovered that the so-called suspect “was in fact a white tail deer, possibly trying to get a head start on some black Friday shopping.”

As you can see in what appears to be body-cam footage, officers assisted store management with herding the deer outside, which was able to leave the building on its own and not seriously injured, despite having apparently crashed through the glass window.

This isn’t the first time in recent history a deer has made headlines for wreaking havoc indoors. Just last month, a deer crashed a birthday party for 65 middle school students at a Beloit, WI Noodles and Company location. In that instance, the animal likewise eventually made its way out unharmed.