Celebration Ends With Dog Shot Dead By Police
Warning: The following article discusses the traumatic death of a beloved dog and includes descriptions of grief and loss that some readers may find distressing.
What should have been an enjoyable day for Marie Marseille of Los Angeles turned into a devastating nightmare that ended with her beloved dog, Jameson, shot dead by police.
On Saturday, June 13th, members of the LAPD were reportedly responding to a 911 call about a “screaming woman” in Canoga Park, about 30 miles from central Los Angeles. When they arrived at Marie’s apartment, they discovered that she was actually celebrating the long-awaited championship win by the New York Knicks. Her two-year-old St Berdoodle (St Bernard x Poodle mix) was barking excitedly, and police asked Marie to secure the dog.
What happened next is deeply upsetting.
When Marie reopened her front door, Jameson managed to slip past again, running towards one of the officers. Without warning, the officer opened fire, killing the dog on his doorstep.
Video footage of the aftermath has gone viral, showing an inconsolable Marie hugging Jameson’s lifeless body. Speaking to NBC, Marie insists that he was harmless. She said he snuck past her legs and within seconds was shot twice.
“He wasn’t doing anything. He didn’t do anything. I know he didn’t. I know he didn’t,” she said. “The Knicks just won the championship. We were just so happy.”
An Unacceptable Loss
In a statement on Wednesday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she has consulted with police chief Jim McDonnell to make sure a thorough investigation will be carried out.
“Every life lost to violence is a tragedy, and we know that the devastating loss of Jameson will be felt by his family forever,” she said. “I will make sure that the investigation is thorough and transparent so that Angelenos have a complete understanding of what happened to Jameson and this family.”
City councilmember Nithya Raman urged the LAPD to release body-worn camera footage from the incident. On her account on X, Raman wrote:
“I’m horrified by what happened in Canoga Park on Saturday. My heart is with Jameson’s family. Whatever the investigation ultimately finds, the outcome of this incident is unacceptable, and shakes an already fragile trust in our public safety system. Los Angeles deserves a public safety response where a joyful family celebration does not end in tragedy.”
Marie’s son, Jeremiah Garcia, started a GoFundMe campaign called “Justice for Jameson,” where he hoped to raise $10,000. The description reads:
On June 13th, 2026, 10 minutes after celebrating the Knicks' championship win, our dog was fatally shot right outside our home. Jameson was 2 years old, and he was taken from us too soon. Anyone who’s met Jameson would tell you he is the sweetest boy in the world. Please help us raise money to get Justice for Jameson and any cremation fees.
So far, more than eight thousand donations have raised over $240,000, which, in addition to the thousands of comments across various online platforms, is a clear indication of how people feel about the tragic event.
Did You Know?
- Our breaking news articles are included in our weekly emails. Don't miss out on the latest and sign up for our newsletter below!
GetIn Your Inbox
Want content like this delivered to you?
News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog
Dr. Karyn Kanowski, BVSc MRCVS (Vet)
Dr. Karyn is originally from Queensland, Australia, and has resided in the UK for the past 10 years. She graduated from The University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science in 2010, and also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology. Karyn is passionate about using experience, evidence, and working with pet owners to provide the best solutions for pets. She also believes in making reliable information about animal health accessible to everyone. 5 cats and 4 dogs let her share their home with her and her husband, and when she is not practising as a veterinary surgeon, she spends her time writing, gardening, and cleaning up pet hair!
