*A Canoga Park neighbor is publicly apologizing after a call for a welfare check led to Los Angeles police officers fatally shooting a family dog during what was reportedly a New York Knicks championship celebration.
The resident, who asked not to be identified because of online threats and harassment, says they have been struggling since the incident and wanted to publicly express remorse to the dog’s owner.
“I feel responsible for what happened,” the neighbor told ABC7. “I’m so sorry. I never wanted anything bad to happen. I thought I was doing the right thing.”
The shooting occurred Saturday evening at a home on Jordan Avenue and has since generated widespread outrage online, with supporters rallying around the family of a golden retriever-poodle mix named Jameson.
How a Celebration Turned Tragic
According to witnesses, Jameson’s owner, identified as Marie Marseille, was celebrating the New York Knicks‘ championship victory inside her home when her excited screams drew concern from a nearby neighbor.
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The resident said they were outside their condominium building when they heard the shouting and believed someone could be in danger.
“I was screaming to her balcony for a while. I called several times. I kept going, ‘Hello? Are you okay?’ And I didn’t hear a TV. She didn’t answer me. She just kept on screaming,” the neighbor said.
The resident said past experiences involving domestic violence influenced the decision to contact authorities.
Concerned that someone might be hurt or in distress, the neighbor called 911 and requested a welfare check.
Police Response Raises Questions
What happened next has become the focus of intense public scrutiny.
The neighbor said they were surprised by the aggressive manner in which officers approached the residence.
“They were very hostile and they were banging on that door,” the resident recalled. “They were like, ‘LAPD! Answer your door! LAPD!’ That’s not how I thought a wellness check would go.”
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers encountered Jameson when the door opened. Police said the dog rushed toward officers and attacked them, prompting an officer to open fire.
The neighbor said they heard the encounter unfold from nearby.
“I heard barking and they said, ‘Put your dog away!’ and barking continued after a second, and then five gun shots. Back-to-back. Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.”
Family Mourns Beloved Pet
Video recorded after the shooting captured Marie’s anguish moments after Jameson was killed.
“Oh my God! Oh my God!” she cried. “He’s such a good dog!”
The owner’s son later described Jameson as energetic and playful but not violent.
The shooting quickly spread across social media, where many questioned whether officers had alternatives to lethal force.
Supporters have rallied around the family, helping a GoFundMe campaign established in Jameson’s memory raise nearly $200,000.
The case has attracted widespread attention because it began as a welfare check rather than a criminal investigation, raising questions about how such calls are handled and whether alternative responses could have prevented the tragedy.
Calls for Accountability
The family, through its attorney, says its focus remains on determining whether the shooting was justified.
In a statement, relatives called on the Los Angeles Police Department to acknowledge that deadly force was unnecessary and to provide full transparency regarding the investigation.
“The family’s focus remains on the events that resulted in the unnecessary shooting and killing of their beloved dog,” the statement said.
The family is also seeking answers about whether officers followed department policies and whether alternative methods could have been used to de-escalate the encounter.
Neighbor Offers Emotional Apology
Days after the incident, the neighbor says they remain haunted by the outcome.
“Marie, I’m so sorry,” the resident said. “I thought I was doing the right thing. I never imagined something like this could happen.”
The resident also said the incident has fundamentally changed how they view welfare checks and interactions with law enforcement.
“I think it’s taught me not to trust LAPD, and that next time, I will probably go myself and check on my neighbor,” the neighbor said.
Investigation Continues
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell has promised a comprehensive review of the shooting, including the release of body-camera footage.
According to the family’s attorney, relatives are expected to review the footage before it is released publicly.
As the family awaits answers from investigators, questions remain about whether a routine welfare check ever needed to end in gunfire.
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