UNIONTOWN, Pa., Aug. 29 (UPI) -- A black bear was shot and killed Sunday after getting too close to a downtown street festival in Uniontown, Pa., police say.
Police received multiple reports of sightings of the 350-pound bear as it made its way closer to the city's downtown area, where thousands of people were gathered, the Herald Standard reported.
Police Chief Jason A. Cox said the bear died immediately upon being shot once in the head after it was located about two blocks away from where the festival was taking place.
"With the festival going on and with the bear being in a highly populated area, the decision was made that the risk was too great and the bear was shot," Cox said.
Patrolman Jason Fidazzo said it is likely the bear was drawn to the populated area by the smell of food from the festival.
