What began as a night of celebration ended in heartbreak for a California woman after her dog was fatally shot by Los Angeles police officers.
On Saturday evening, around 8:55 p.m., Marie Marsielle was at home with her dog, Jameson, when Los Angeles Police officers arrived at her Canoga Park apartment. According to USA Today, LAPD’s Topanga Patrol Division responded after receiving a noise complaint about a “screaming woman”.
Marsielle said she was celebrating the New York Knicks’ NBA championship. Jameson wore a Knicks T-shirt.
“He was just moving toward the officer”
Speaking to FOX11 after the incident, Marsielle said officers knocked on her door and that she told them she was alone in the apartment.
“I’m like, ‘Oh no, it’s just me.’ And then they saw Jameson, and the one officer said, ‘Put the dog away.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, no problem.’”
According to an LAPD statement cited by the LA Times, officers encountered the resident while a “large dog” stood beside her and barked at them.
“The officers contacted the resident in the apartment unit; while speaking with the resident, a large dog was by her side barking at the officers.
“The officers asked her to secure the dog, and the resident closed her door momentarily. She re-opened the door, and the dog exited the apartment.”
The department said officers shot the dog after it charged at one of them. Marsielle, however, disputes that, saying Jameson slipped out as she tried to secure him and walked toward an officer.
“The next thing I know, Jameson is lying on the ground,” she recalled.
“But Jameson wasn’t baring his teeth, he wasn’t growling, he wasn’t aggressive, he wasn’t barking. He was just moving toward the officer.”
Dog shot to death by police
A GoFundMe has since been launched, and the page reads: “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.”
A video that has circulated on social media after the incident shows Marsielle crying while holding her dog after the shooting. In the footage, she can be heard calling her son.
“Oh God, Jeremiah! Jeremiah!”
During her interview with Fox 11, Marsielle described the devastating loss of her pet.
“He’s my baby. It doesn’t make any sense to me. I can’t make sense of anything.”
“My heart breaks for Jameson”
Many people have expressed their heartfelt condolences in the GoFundMe comments.
“My condolences. This dog looks so harmless and beautiful. Police unfortunately escalate situations. This was something they shouldn’t even have been called for and they were absolutely terrible at assessing a situation in this case. They ought to apologize to that family. This Knicks fan’s heart goes out to you. Justice for Jameson!,” one commenter said.
Another person wrote: “I am so sorry for what they did to your sweet boy, know that you have a huge community of support behind you ready to stand up and demand accountability for the disgusting actions of these people who are paid to protect and serve, stay strong and fight.”
And a third one commented: “I’m so sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for Jameson and your family. What a terrible tragedy.”
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