The man who shot Lady Gaga’s dog walker then stole her French bulldogs took a plea deal and was sentenced to 21 years in prison.
Officials say that the dogs were not targeted because they belonged to Lady Gaga, rather the motive was the value of the French bulldogs, a breed that can cost more than $10,000.
according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, James Howard Jackson, one of three men and two accomplices who participated in the violent robbery plead no contest to one count of attempted murder.
The pop star’s dog walker, Ryan Fischer, was seriously wounded in the attack gave an impact statement at the sentencing hearing,
“It’s hard to believe that it’s nearing two years since I was taking Asia, Koji and Gustav out for an evening stroll when — in an instant — I suddenly found myself fighting with everything I had to protect those dogs from being stolen. But it wasn’t enough: I was beaten, strangled, shot and left to die bleeding out on a sidewalk and gasping for my life. And Koji and Gustav were gone.”
Fischer said he is still healing physically and mentally from the shooting. Part of his lung had to be removed and he is still undergoing physical therapy.
Fischer also addressed Jackson directly in the statement, and said he forgives him and the others involved in the attack. “You completely altered my life, and I know I can’t fully move forward from the night you shot me until I said those words to you.”
“The plea agreement holds Mr. Jackson accountable for perpetrating a coldhearted violent act and provides justice for our victim,” a statement from the LA County DA’s office said.
Howard had been charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit a robbery and assault with a semiautomatic firearm.
Prosecutors previously said that Jackson and two others drove around Hollywood, the city of West Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley on Feb. 24, 2021 “looking for French bulldogs,” they found Fischer with the pop star’s three pets.
Jackson shot Fischer during the robbery off the famed Sunset Boulevard, during which two of the dogs were taken. A nearby doorbell camera recorded the dog walker screaming “Oh, my God! I’ve been shot!” and “Help me!” and “I’m bleeding out from my chest!”
The stolen 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.
