Forget about overspending on trendy throw pillows and candles at Target; there’s a far greater threat lurking just outside the entrance. A massive, red, round menace—no, not the iconic bulls-eye—has proven to be quite the troublemaker.
In a sequence more reminiscent of an “Indiana Jones” adventure than a casual shopping trip, one of those gigantic red balls at the front of a Target store went rogue after being struck by a truck. This 2-ton behemoth rolled into traffic, and the wild event was all captured on the parking lot’s surveillance cameras.
According to ABC7, this runaway ball caused over $3,500 in damages at the Paramus, New Jersey location. Local shopper, Samantha Blake, recalled the moment, saying, “Out of nowhere, I heard a huge crash and a really loud bang.” That bang was the sound of a man-made boulder colliding with the side of her Honda CR-V. To add insult to injury, the collision sent a nail flying from the ball directly into one of her rear tires.
Fortunately, a heroic bystander and his dog stepped in to halt the rolling disaster. Footage shows him, alongside two other men, managing to roll the giant orb back to its original spot, balancing it outside the store’s entrance. An employee then placed a traffic cone nearby, as if that would somehow contain a 2-ton ball, and walked off. But not before a child climbed on top of the unsecured ball—because, of course, that’s what kids do.
Samantha is now battling Target for compensation for the damage to her vehicle, but the retailer has denied her claim. Since the police couldn’t capture the truck’s license plate number that initially hit the ball, Samantha suspects the driver may not even have known they had caused the chaos. Her next step? Taking Target to small claims court in hopes of recovering the costs. Given the footage showing the truck hitting the ball, it seems like a clear case of liability.
Now, let’s be real—who hasn’t let their kids clamber over these huge red balls at some point? For my family, it’s a non-negotiable part of our Target routine. The kids bounce on the ball while I grab a coffee and stock up on popcorn. But after witnessing the potential for these giant orbs to unleash mayhem, I might have to rethink our little tradition. If I’m faced with a $3,500 repair bill, that’s $3,500 less for my beloved throw pillows and candles. And that’s a risk I’m just not willing to take.
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Summary
A massive 2-ton red Target ball dislodged after being struck by a truck, causing significant damage and chaos in a parking lot. One brave bystander helped restore the ball to its place, while a shopper now pursues Target for damages after her car was hit. The incident raises concerns about the safety of these large decorations and reminds us of the unexpected dangers they may pose.