A celebration of the New York Knicks’ recent NBA championship in Canoga Park, California, ended in tragedy when Los Angeles police officers fatally shot a woman’s dog, prompting public outcry.

The incident took place shortly before 9 p.m. on Saturday in the 7500 block of Jordan Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Officers responded to a call reporting a “screaming woman” and arrived at an apartment unit where they encountered the resident, identified as Marie Marseille, and her large dog.

Police said in a statement that while speaking with Marseille, the dog was barking aggressively at officers. They asked her to secure the animal, and she briefly closed the door. When Marseille reopened it, the dog exited the apartment. The LAPD said officers shot the dog after it charged at one of them. No officers were reported injured.

A video shared on social media shows Marseille visibly distressed, holding the dog—who was wearing a Knicks T-shirt—and crying in the hallway outside the apartment as several officers stand nearby. Passersby can be heard expressing frustration and anger toward the officers for shooting the dog. In the video, Marseille calls out the name Jeremiah, identified by her family as her son, who was on a video call with her at the time of the incident.

Marseille’s sister, Vanessa Marseille, described the family’s shock and sorrow following the shooting. She said the dog, Jameson, was quietly energetic and had been part of her sister’s household since she purchased him two years ago. Vanessa Marseille noted that Jameson was frequently in the company of Marie and her son, and described the dog as a beloved companion with whom her sister shared a close bond, including a daily routine involving prayer before meals.

“We don’t know why it happened,” Vanessa said. “What’s more scary is that those shots could have hit her or anyone else. It was reckless.” She added that her sister told her Jameson had slipped out of the apartment as she was closing the door before being shot multiple times.

The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover cremation expenses for the dog. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles chapter of the National Action Network has called for the release of the officers’ body camera footage to clarify the circumstances of the shooting.

The LAPD’s Force Investigation Division is conducting a review of the incident. Marseille has not been available for further comment.