Police Officer Takes Shot at 'Vicious Dog' Near Boston Marathon Finish Line

A gunshot was fired this morning near the finish line of the Boston Marathon as police responded to a “vicious dog,” prompting a flurry of activity, according to police.

The shot rang out during installation of the finish line markings on the Boylston Street pavement in Copley Square.

As workers were preparing to lay the decal, a Boston Police vehicle went flying down the street and other officers in the area were seen reaching for their guns. At 9:22 a.m. a shot was fired, making the police activity more hectic.

But the incident turned out to be a response to a “vicious dog” according to BPD spokesman Mark Marron. The gunshot either scared the dog or missed it, because the animal was then chased toward Boston Common, where police officers tased and contained it.

Marron did not have the status of the dog when reached at 10 a.m.

The chaotic and scary scene took place on what is considered hallowed ground in Boston, the site of the April 15, 2013, Boston Marathon bombing.

On that day, two bombs went off in the crowds near the marathon finish line, killing Martin Richard, 8, Krystle Campbell, 29, and Lu Lingzi, 23, and injuring over 200 people. MIT police officer Sean Collier, 27, was shot and killed during the manhunt for the suspects days later, and Boston police officer Dennis Simmonds, 28, died after a year from injuries sustained in a shootout with the bombers.

The city remembered the victims on Tuesday, the anniversary of the bombing, in the annual “One Boston” event.

_______________

©2025 MediaNews Group, Inc.

Visit at bostonherald.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.