The man who allegedly shot Lady Gaga‘s dog walker last year in an attempt to steal the singer’s three French bulldogs was “erroneously” released from a Los Angeles jail in April due to a clerical error, said authorities, who announced a reward for information leading to his capture.
The $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest of James Howard Jackson, 19, is 100 times less than what Lady Gaga offered for her dogs’ return. Jackson, who faces charges for attempted murder and second-degree robbery, allegedly shot the American pop star’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, in the chest with a .40-caliber handgun while walking her dogs in a Hollywood neighborhood on Feb. 24, 2021.
“Jackson should be considered armed and dangerous,” authorities said. “Anyone with information as to his whereabouts should contact law enforcement immediately.”
Authorities described Jackson as a 5-feet, 6-inch black male, weighing approximately 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Following Jackson’s release, Fischer posted a statement on Instagram asking his attacker to turn himself over to authorities.
“While I’m deeply concerned at the events that led to his release, I’m confident law enforcement will rectify the errors,” Fischer said. “I ask for Mr. Jackson to turn himself over to the authorities, so resolution to the crime committed against me runs its course, whatever the courts determine that outcome to be.”
Surveillance video from a nearby home showed a car pulling up next to Fischer and two men jumping out and snatching two of the three dogs before shooting Fischer in the chest and fleeing.
Authorities said police arrested five people in April in connection with the attack, two of whom were charged as accessories after the fact.
Jackson and Jaylin White, 19, and Lafayette Whaley, 27, were all charged with one count of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, and second-degree robbery.
Authorities also identified White’s father, Harold White, 42, and his partner Jennifer McBride, 51, who were accused of being accessories after the shooting.
The Los Angeles Times reported McBride, who was not a suspect at the time, allegedly recovered the dogs and turned them into a Los Angeles police station days after the shooting. She said she came across the dogs tied to a pole and then proceeded to inquire about the reward money offered by Lady Gaga, who initially offered a $500,000 reward for returning her dogs, Koji and Gustav.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Major Crime Team has requested the U.S. Marshals Service’s assistance to find and arrest Jackson, authorities said.