What should have been a night of pure joy for a New York Knicks fan turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when an LAPD officer shot and killed her dog during a championship celebration. The incident occurred on June 13, just moments after the Knicks clinched their first NBA title since 1973.
According to reports from TMZ, police were called to a Canoga Park condo building after a neighbor grew concerned about a woman screaming. It turned out the woman, identified as Marie Marseille, was simply overcome with excitement as she celebrated the Knicks' historic win. But the celebration took a devastating turn when officers arrived at her door.
What Happened at the Doorstep?
The Los Angeles Police Department released a statement detailing the sequence of events. Officers met with the person reporting the disturbance, who directed them to Marseille's apartment. When they knocked, Marseille answered with her dog, Jameson, by her side.
“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. Once outside of the apartment, the dog charged at one of the officers, resulting in an Officer-Involved Shooting (OIS),” the LAPD said in a press release.
The department claims the dog was barking at officers before the door was closed, and that it charged when the door reopened. But Marseille tells a very different story.
Owner Disputes Aggression Claims
“Jameson wasn’t baring teeth. He wasn’t growling. He wasn’t aggressive. He wasn’t barking. He was just moving towards the officer,” Marseille told FOX 11. She explained that she had dressed Jameson in a Knicks jersey before the shooting, a small gesture of fandom that now feels hauntingly symbolic.
In an emotional outburst captured by ABC Eyewitness News, Marseille yelled, “We were just so happy. We were just so happy. We were just celebrating the Knicks. We were [expletive] celebrating the Knicks.”
A Celebration Turned Sour
The Knicks' championship run was a rollercoaster, with Stephen A. Smith admitting he lost faith in the team before the title win, and Becky Hammon's 'too small' jab at Jalen Brunson backfiring as the Knicks hoisted the trophy. For Marseille, though, the victory was personal—she was celebrating a long-awaited moment with her dog by her side.
The tragedy has sparked outrage among animal lovers and Knicks fans alike, with many questioning the officer's use of deadly force. The LAPD has not disclosed whether the officer involved has been placed on leave pending an investigation. Marseille is now grieving the loss of a pet she describes as gentle and non-threatening.
“He wasn’t growling. He wasn’t aggressive. He wasn’t barking,” she reiterated. The incident serves as a grim reminder that even the happiest moments can turn tragic in an instant.
