LAPD fatally shoots two-year-old Jameson in Knicks jersey

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has released body-camera footage of the fatal shooting of Jameson, a two-year-old golden Saint Bernard doodle, an incident that sparked widespread outrage after the dog was shot during what police believed was a response to a disturbance call.

Officers had responded to an apartment complex in the Canoga Park neighbourhood on June 13 after receiving reports of a woman screaming. Authorities later determined that the noise came from a family celebrating the New York Knicks' NBA championship victory. Jameson, who was wearing a blue Knicks jersey at the time, was shot outside the apartment, prompting calls for accountability, protests on social media and demands for a transparent investigation.

Amid mounting criticism, the LAPD released body-camera footage showing the moments leading up to the shooting. The video shows dog owner Marie Marseille opening her apartment door while Jameson stands beside her barking at officers. One officer immediately draws his pistol and instructs her to secure the dog. "Put your dog away," an officer is heard saying in the footage. "That's a big dog," one officer says to his partner. "I ain't getting bit by that, bro," another officer replies.

Marseille appears to hold the door while telling officers the dog is not aggressive. Moments later, Jameson walks into the hallway wearing a blue Knicks jersey and barks again. After taking a few steps forward, the dog is shot four times by one of the officers. The footage also shows another officer raising a firearm as the shooting unfolds.

Why were police at the apartment?

Police were dispatched after receiving a report of a screaming woman in the building. According to LAPD, the caller directed officers to Marseille's apartment. Authorities said officers asked her to secure the dog after it began barking. In a statement, police said Jameson exited the apartment and 'charged' at an officer, prompting the shooting.

Marseille has disputed that account. Speaking to media outlets after the incident, she said Jameson had slipped past her legs and was shot within seconds. "He wasn't doing anything. He didn't do anything," she said.

Viral video fuels public outrage

Public attention intensified after the video spread widely across social media. The footage shows Marseille sobbing and holding Jameson's body while several officers stand nearby. "The Knicks just won the championship. We were just so happy. We just celebrating the Knicks," she can be heard saying in the video.

A GoFundMe campaign titled 'Justice for Jameson' has since raised more than $170,000, far exceeding its original target. The fundraiser describes Jameson as 'the sweetest boy in the world' and says he was shot about 10 minutes after the family began celebrating the Knicks' victory. The shooting has drawn criticism from activists, community groups and public officials. The Los Angeles National Action Network called the killing 'unnecessary and unwarranted' and demanded the release of body-camera footage and the identities of the officers involved.

Mayor orders investigation

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she had spoken with Police Chief Jim McDonnell and requested a thorough review of the incident. "Every life lost to violence is a tragedy, and we know that the devastating loss of Jameson will be felt by his family forever," Bass said, Guardian reported. She added that the investigation would be conducted in a thorough and transparent manner so the public can fully understand what happened. City council member Nithya Raman also called for the prompt release of footage and said the incident had damaged public trust.