Suspect in shooting of Lady Gaga's dog walker released from jail due to 'clerical error'

Suspect in shooting of Lady Gaga's dog walker released from jail, LA County records show

One of the five people arrested in connection to the violent dognapping of Lady Gaga's French bulldogs has been released from custody.

LOS ANGELES - One of the five people arrested in connection to the violent dognapping of Lady Gaga's French bulldogs and the shooting of the pop superstar's dog walker is back on the streets.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, 19-year-old James Jackson was released from the county's custody on Wednesday, April 6, due to a clerical error. LASD called Jackson's sudden release "inadvertent."

Back on February 24, 2021, Lady Gaga's dog walker, later identified as Ryan Fischer, was shot while walking Lady Gaga's three dogs in the Hollywood area. The suspects drove off from the scene with two of the pop star's dogs – Koji and Gustav. A third dog ran away from the scene but the police were able to safely find the dog that same night.

The shooting left Fischer hospitalized for weeks. Lady Gaga was in Rome at the time of the violent dognapping incident.

Lady Gaga's dog walker suffered multiple gunshot wounds after he was targeted by a group of suspected dognappers in Hollywood back in 2021. (Instagram)

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Lady Gaga dognapping: 5 suspects arrested for robbery, attempted murder of dog walker

Following the news of Jackson's unexpected release, Fischer issued the following statement on social media:

"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."

As for the other four suspects, two remain in Los Angeles County's custody and the other two were released on bond. Below is a breakdown of the five suspects' most recent jail records, according to the county's database:

James Jackson, 19, released on clerical error April 6, 2022
Jaylin White, 20, still in custody
Lafayette Whaley, 28, still in custody
Harold White, 41, released on bond September 24, 2021
Jennifer McBride, 50, released on bond May 3, 2021

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After the two French bulldogs were kidnaped in 2021, Lady Gaga offered a $500,000 reward for the safe return of the dogs. The woman who dropped off the dogs to LAPD, later identified as McBride, was identified as one of the suspects in the dognapping case, instead of being the hero in the case. LAPD said in 2021 that McBride had a relationship with Harold White, who was the father of 20-year-old Jaylin White.

LAPD revealed Jackson, Jaylin and Harold White and Whaley were all documented gang members.

Jackson was in custody for attempted murder in connection to the shooting of Fischer.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

FOX 11 made calls to the Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón's office. Gascón's office could not be reached for comment late Thursday night.

Jackson's next court date is scheduled for June 21, 2022.

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