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Residents react to Watertown's decision to move movie shoot

WATERTOWN, Mass. — Watertown residents are upset with town leaders after officials announced they did not want filmmakers to recreate a shootout with the Boston Marathon bombers.

In a statement, town manager J. Driscoll said, in part, "Upon further reflection, filming the recreation of the Watertown Shootout when police encountered the Boston Marathon Bombers...is not in the best interest of Watertown."

"I'd like to know why. They haven't given any reasons, they just said there would be no filming," said Rob Mullen, who lives on Laurel Street.

Many residents told FOX25 they had spent weeks working with filmmakers, including meetings and submitting questionnares, and were heartbroken to learn all the work would be in vain.

"I'm upset about it. I think they have a hell of a nerve putting us all through it, we talked to so many people, and...no one knows why," said Loretta Kehayias.

Others said they were disappointed that the film would no longer be geographically accurate.

"We need to show people, this is the truth - what happened in Watertown. This is what happened," Maral Khachadourian told FOX25.

A source close to the filmmakers said they would begin scouting new locations for the scene, but would stay in the Boston area.