Body camera footage released Friday shows a Los Angeles Police Department officer fatally shooting a 2-year-old dog named Jameson in Canoga Park after responding to reports of a screaming woman who was celebrating the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs. The eight-minute video has prompted multiple investigations and strong criticism from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who called the footage disturbing and tragic.
The incident occurred last Saturday night at a Canoga Park apartment when officers responded to calls about a woman screaming. Upon arrival, they discovered the screams came from a woman celebrating her basketball team’s championship win. The situation escalated when the woman reopened her door and the dog, a 106-pound golden Saint Bernard doodle, moved toward officers.
Body Camera Footage Shows Fatal Shooting
The video released by LAPD on Friday shows one officer firing four shots as the dog moved toward him while barking. According to the LAPD, the dog charged at officers after the woman reopened her apartment door. The department blurred the face of the officer who fired the shots in the released footage.
Marie Marseille, the dog’s owner, witnessed part of the shooting. She provided her account of what happened that night.
“Next thing I know, he was on the ground. I see the officer shoot him twice. I did see that. I was right there when it happened,” Marseille said.
Marseille disputed the characterization that her dog charged at officers. She described Jameson’s temperament as friendly and non-threatening.
“I don’t know if charged is the right word. Jameson, he is a very playful dog, very happy and energetic and excited, if he barked. He has never bitten anyone,” Marseille said.
What We Know So Far
The confirmed details of this incident include the following facts established through the body camera footage and official statements:
Jameson was a 2-year-old golden Saint Bernard doodle weighing 106 pounds. The dog was fatally shot last Saturday night at a Canoga Park apartment. Officers had responded to reports of a woman screaming, which turned out to be a celebration of the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
The body camera video is eight minutes long and shows one officer firing four shots at the dog. The LAPD stated the dog charged at officers after the apartment door was reopened. The department made the decision to blur the face of the officer who fired the shots in the publicly released footage.
The owner, Marie Marseille, was present during the shooting and described her dog as playful and stated the animal had never bitten anyone. She witnessed the officer shoot the dog, though she reported seeing two shots fired from her vantage point.
Mayor Bass Responds to Footage
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass released a statement on Wednesday, before the video was made public, expressing serious concerns about the incident. Her response indicated the gravity with which city leadership is treating this matter.
“What I saw on the bodycam footage is disturbing and tragic. The Chief and I agreed that it was important to release the bodycam footage swiftly. While the investigation is ongoing, I am very concerned about why shots were fired and Jameson was killed. This shooting makes clear that while LAPD provides officers with written guidance on the use of force and pets, this is not enough,” Bass said.
The mayor also acknowledged the emotional impact on the dog’s family.
“Every life lost to violence is a tragedy, and we know that the devastating loss of Jameson will be felt by his family forever. I have spoken directly to the Chief to ensure a full investigation and accountability for any wrongdoing,” Bass said.
What Happens Next
Multiple investigations have been opened following the incident. The LAPD internal affairs division has launched an investigation into the shooting. A separate use of force investigation has also been initiated.
According to established procedures, these investigations can take up to a year to complete. The LAPD has a 2023 Use of Force Directive that addresses officer encounters with dogs, which will likely factor into the review process.
Mayor Bass’s statement indicated she has spoken directly with the Chief of Police to ensure a full investigation and accountability for any wrongdoing that may be determined through the review process.
Important Details About the Incident
The incident began as a routine response to a noise complaint. Officers were dispatched to the Canoga Park apartment after receiving reports of a woman screaming. The screaming was determined to be a woman celebrating the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals championship victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
The LAPD’s decision to blur the face of the officer who fired the shots has drawn attention. This is an unusual step in the release of body camera footage. The name of the officer who fired has not been released to the public.
The department’s 2023 Use of Force Directive provides written guidance to officers regarding encounters with pets. Mayor Bass indicated in her statement that written guidance alone may not be sufficient based on what this incident revealed.
Contrasting Accounts of the Dog’s Behavior
There are differing characterizations of what happened in the moments before the shooting. The LAPD stated that the dog charged at officers after the woman reopened her apartment door. The body camera footage shows the dog moving toward the officer while barking before the shots were fired.
Marie Marseille, who owned Jameson, questioned whether the word charged accurately described her dog’s behavior. She emphasized that Jameson was a playful, happy, and energetic dog who had never bitten anyone. This distinction between the official account and the owner’s description of her pet’s temperament remains a central point in understanding the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did LAPD officers respond to the Canoga Park apartment?
Officers responded to reports of a woman screaming at the apartment. The screaming turned out to be a woman celebrating the New York Knicks’ NBA Finals victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
How many shots did the officer fire at the dog?
The body camera footage shows one officer firing four shots at Jameson, the 2-year-old golden Saint Bernard doodle that weighed 106 pounds.
What investigations are underway following the shooting?
The LAPD internal affairs division has opened an investigation, and a separate use of force investigation has also been launched. These investigations can take up to a year to complete.
What did Mayor Karen Bass say about the incident?
Mayor Bass called the body camera footage disturbing and tragic. She expressed concern about why shots were fired and stated that written guidance on use of force and pets is not enough. She said she spoke directly with the Chief to ensure full investigation and accountability.
Why was the officer’s face blurred in the video?
The LAPD blurred the face of the officer who fired the shots in the released body camera footage. The department has not released the name of the officer involved.
The investigations into the fatal shooting of Jameson remain ongoing as of June 20, 2026. The LAPD has released the eight-minute body camera footage to the public while multiple review processes continue to examine the circumstances of the incident and whether proper protocols were followed.
