A suspect being held on suspicion of shooting Lady Gaga's dog walker and stealing her French bulldogs has been rearrested after he was mistakenly released from a Los Angeles County jail.
James Howard Jackson was taken into custody on Wednesday (3 August) almost five months after he was released from jail while awaiting trial 'due to a clerical error', the county Sheriff's Department said in a statement.
The 19-year-old was one of five people arrested in connection with the February 24, 2021, attack in Hollywood, near the area’s famed Sunset Boulevard.
Ryan Fischer was out walking the Oscar winner’s French bulldogs – Koji, Gustav and Miss Asia – when he was hit, choked and then shot by two men in an attack captured by the doorbell camera of a nearby home.
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Gustav and Koji were abducted and later handed over to cops, while a frightened Miss Asia ran away but was thankfully found by police.
Once police arrived at the scene, Fischer was found barely breathing after being shot in the chest trying to protect the pups. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he began a long road to recovery, which included having part of his lung removed.
Speaking about Jackson’s mistaken release in April, Fischer called on the suspect to turn himself in, writing on Instagram: “While I’m deeply concerned at the events that led to his release, I’m confident law enforcement will rectify the error.
“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. Thank you to everyone who is supporting me during this time.”
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The Los Angeles Police Department are said to have used mobile phone data and surveillance footage to track down the suspects last year, before charging Jackson alongside Jaylin White, 19, and Lafayette Whaley, 27, with attempted murder.
White's father, 40-year-old Harold White, and 50-year-old Jennifer McBride were also charged with accessory to attempted murder. The LAPD said the evidence suggests they didn't know Fischer worked for Gaga, but were motivated by 'the great value of the breed of dogs'.
In the wake of the incident, Lady Gaga offered a $500,000 reward for the dogs' safe return, and also thanked Fischer for his bravery, writing on Instagram: "I continue to love you Ryan Fischer, you risked your life to fight for our family. You’re forever a hero."
James Howard Jackson, 19, was arrested again on Wednesday, 3 August.
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Lisa McLoughlin