diff --git a/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt b/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
index 8bade1d23..5af951add 100644
--- a/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
+++ b/doc/fixes3-7-0.txt
@@ -1576,6 +1576,7 @@ water elementals move slightly more slowly
 the "totally digested" instadeath timer is much faster
 slow monster effects are more effective against faster enemies
 light-spell is clerical, if playing a priest
+boomerang can hit multiple monsters
 
 
 Fixes to 3.7.0-x General Problems Exposed Via git Repository
diff --git a/include/extern.h b/include/extern.h
index 3d8261029..899f72b4a 100644
--- a/include/extern.h
+++ b/include/extern.h
@@ -829,6 +829,7 @@ extern void hurtle(int, int, int, boolean);
 extern void mhurtle(struct monst *, int, int, int) NONNULLARG1;
 extern boolean harmless_missile(struct obj *) NONNULLARG1;
 extern boolean throwing_weapon(struct obj *) NONNULLARG1;
+extern boolean throwit_mon_hit(struct obj *, struct monst *) NONNULLARG1;
 extern void throwit(struct obj *, long, boolean, struct obj *) NONNULLARG1;
 extern int omon_adj(struct monst *, struct obj *, boolean) NONNULLPTRS;
 extern boolean should_mulch_missile(struct obj *);
diff --git a/src/dothrow.c b/src/dothrow.c
index 35b52aa6c..952913a43 100644
--- a/src/dothrow.c
+++ b/src/dothrow.c
@@ -1474,6 +1474,37 @@ swallowit(struct obj *obj)
         throwit_return(TRUE);
 }
 
+/* thrown object hits a monster.
+   mon may be NULL.
+   returns TRUE if shopkeeper caught the object.
+   may delete object, clearing gt.thrownobj */
+boolean
+throwit_mon_hit(struct obj *obj, struct monst *mon)
+{
+    if (mon) {
+        boolean obj_gone;
+
+        if (mon->isshk && obj->where == OBJ_MINVENT && obj->ocarry == mon) {
+            return TRUE;
+        }
+        (void) snuff_candle(obj);
+        gn.notonhead = (gb.bhitpos.x != mon->mx || gb.bhitpos.y != mon->my);
+        obj_gone = thitmonst(mon, obj);
+        /* Monster may have been tamed; this frees old mon [obsolete] */
+        mon = m_at(gb.bhitpos.x, gb.bhitpos.y);
+
+        /* [perhaps this should be moved into thitmonst or hmon] */
+        if (mon && mon->isshk
+            && (!inside_shop(u.ux, u.uy)
+                || !strchr(in_rooms(mon->mx, mon->my, SHOPBASE), *u.ushops)))
+            hot_pursuit(mon);
+
+        if (obj_gone)
+            gt.thrownobj = (struct obj *) 0;
+    }
+    return FALSE;
+}
+
 /* throw an object, NB: obj may be consumed in the process */
 void
 throwit(
@@ -1661,27 +1692,9 @@ throwit(
         }
     }
 
-    if (mon) {
-        boolean obj_gone;
-
-        if (mon->isshk && obj->where == OBJ_MINVENT && obj->ocarry == mon) {
-            throwit_return(TRUE); /* alert shk caught it */
-            return;
-        }
-        (void) snuff_candle(obj);
-        gn.notonhead = (gb.bhitpos.x != mon->mx || gb.bhitpos.y != mon->my);
-        obj_gone = thitmonst(mon, obj);
-        /* Monster may have been tamed; this frees old mon [obsolete] */
-        mon = m_at(gb.bhitpos.x, gb.bhitpos.y);
-
-        /* [perhaps this should be moved into thitmonst or hmon] */
-        if (mon && mon->isshk
-            && (!inside_shop(u.ux, u.uy)
-                || !strchr(in_rooms(mon->mx, mon->my, SHOPBASE), *u.ushops)))
-            hot_pursuit(mon);
-
-        if (obj_gone)
-            gt.thrownobj = (struct obj *) 0;
+    if (throwit_mon_hit(obj, mon)) {
+        throwit_return(TRUE); /* alert shk caught it */
+        return;
     }
 
     if (!gt.thrownobj) {
diff --git a/src/zap.c b/src/zap.c
index d3fdf72eb..52697a4ae 100644
--- a/src/zap.c
+++ b/src/zap.c
@@ -4139,6 +4139,7 @@ boomhit(struct obj *obj, coordxy dx, coordxy dy)
     int boom; /* showsym[] index  */
     struct monst *mtmp;
     boolean counterclockwise = URIGHTY; /* ULEFTY => clockwise */
+    int nhits = (obj->spe + 1);
 
     /* counterclockwise traversal patterns, from @ to 1 then on through to 9
      *  ..........................54.................................
@@ -4173,8 +4174,12 @@ boomhit(struct obj *obj, coordxy dx, coordxy dy)
         }
         if ((mtmp = m_at(gb.bhitpos.x, gb.bhitpos.y)) != 0) {
             m_respond(mtmp);
-            tmp_at(DISP_END, 0);
-            return mtmp;
+            if (nhits-- < 0) {
+                tmp_at(DISP_END, 0);
+                return mtmp;
+            } else if (throwit_mon_hit(obj, mtmp) || !gt.thrownobj) {
+                break;
+            }
         }
         if (!ZAP_POS(levl[gb.bhitpos.x][gb.bhitpos.y].typ)
             || closed_door(gb.bhitpos.x, gb.bhitpos.y)) {