Lady Gaga supported her dog walker during his recovery, he said.. AFP
Lady Gaga supported her dog walker during his recovery, he said.. AFP
Lady Gaga supported her dog walker during his recovery, he said.. AFP
Lady Gaga supported her dog walker during his recovery, he said.. AFP

Man who shot Lady Gaga's dog walker given 21 years in prison


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The man who stole Lady Gaga's French bulldog and shot her dog walker was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Monday after agreeing to a plea deal, officials said on Monday.

James Howard Jackson, one of the five people who took part in last year's robbery, pleaded no contest to one count of attempted murder, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.

Prosecutors previously said he and others were “looking for French bulldogs”, a dog breed that can cost thousands of dollars, while driving around Hollywood and other locations on February 24, 2021.

They then met Lady Gaga's dog walker, Ryan Fischer, with two of the star's dogs, Koji and Gustav.

Authorities have previously said the Lady Gaga connection was a coincidence, and it is believed that the robbers were not aware the dogs belonged to her.

The dogs were returned several days later by Jennifer McBride, who was also charged in the crime.

The pop star had offered a $500,000 reward — “no questions asked” — to be reunited with the dogs at the time.

Jackson shot Mr Fischer near Sunset Boulevard when the two dogs were taken.

A nearby doorbell camera recorded him screaming, “Oh, my god! I’ve been shot!” and “Help me!” and “I’m bleeding out from my chest!”

In social media posts uploaded after the attack, Mr Fischer described the event as a “very close call with death” and thanked the singer for supporting him during his recovery.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Lady Gaga — in pictures

  • Lady Gaga performs onstage during The Chromatica Ball Tour at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Getty Images
    Lady Gaga performs onstage during The Chromatica Ball Tour at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Getty Images
  • Lady Gaga performs onstage as part of The Chromatica Ball Tour at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
    Lady Gaga performs onstage as part of The Chromatica Ball Tour at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
  • Guests attend Lady Gaga's The Chromatica Ball Tour in Los Angeles. Getty Images
    Guests attend Lady Gaga's The Chromatica Ball Tour in Los Angeles. Getty Images
  • Lady Gaga performs in Los Angeles. Getty Images
    Lady Gaga performs in Los Angeles. Getty Images
  • Lady Gaga had to cut short her Miami gig owing to bad weather. Getty Images
    Lady Gaga had to cut short her Miami gig owing to bad weather. Getty Images
  • Lady Gaga performs the song 'Love for Sale' from her album of the same name, with Tony Bennett, during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, US. Reuters
    Lady Gaga performs the song 'Love for Sale' from her album of the same name, with Tony Bennett, during the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, US. Reuters
  • Lady Gaga, Best Actress winner for 'House of Gucci', attends the New York Film Critics Circle Awards gala at TAO in New York. AP Photo
    Lady Gaga, Best Actress winner for 'House of Gucci', attends the New York Film Critics Circle Awards gala at TAO in New York. AP Photo
  • Lady Gaga leaves the Hotel Palazzo Parigi in Milan. Parts of the new movie 'House of Gucci', in which Lady Gaga plays the role of Maurizio Gucci's ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani, were filmed in Milan. EPA
    Lady Gaga leaves the Hotel Palazzo Parigi in Milan. Parts of the new movie 'House of Gucci', in which Lady Gaga plays the role of Maurizio Gucci's ex-wife Patrizia Reggiani, were filmed in Milan. EPA
  • Lady Gaga attends the 2022 EE BAFTA Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain. EPA
    Lady Gaga attends the 2022 EE BAFTA Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain. EPA
  • Lady Gaga arrives at the world premiere of the film 'House of Gucci' in London. AP Photo
    Lady Gaga arrives at the world premiere of the film 'House of Gucci' in London. AP Photo
  • Lady Gaga sings the national anthem during President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington. AP Photo
    Lady Gaga sings the national anthem during President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington. AP Photo
  • Lady Gaga attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala, celebrating the opening of the Camp: Notes on Fashion exhibition in New York. AP Photo
    Lady Gaga attends The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute benefit gala, celebrating the opening of the Camp: Notes on Fashion exhibition in New York. AP Photo
  • Lady Gaga at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, US. Reuters
    Lady Gaga at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, US. Reuters
  • Lady Gaga accepts the Best Original Song Award for 'Shallow' from 'A Star Is Born' at the 91st Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, US. Reuters
    Lady Gaga accepts the Best Original Song Award for 'Shallow' from 'A Star Is Born' at the 91st Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, US. Reuters
  • This image released by MGM shows Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani in 'House of Gucci'. AP Photo
    This image released by MGM shows Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani in 'House of Gucci'. AP Photo
  • Lady Gaga performs during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots in Houston. AP Photo
    Lady Gaga performs during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots in Houston. AP Photo
Updated: December 05, 2022, 10:56 PM