Mistaken Release Of Lady Gaga Dognapping Suspect Prompts Reward Offer

LOS ANGELES, CA — More than three months after he was mistakenly released from a Los Angeles County jail, authorities are still looking for the man suspected of shooting Lady Gaga's dogwalker in a botched dognapping. Authorities on Tuesday announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of James Howard Jackson, 19.

"Jackson should be considered armed and dangerous," according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Freed from jail due to a clerical error on April 6, Jackson is wanted on suspicion of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit robbery and second-degree robbery.

According to Los Angeles police detectives, Jackson allegedly shot dog walker Ryan Fischer with a handgun while the victim was walking the three dogs in Hollywood on Feb. 24, 2021.

Fischer suffered a chest wound and was hospitalized. Two of the pets were stolen by the attackers, and police later arrested five people in connection with the attack, two of whom were charged as accessories after the fact, the Marshals Service reported.

Jackson along with Jaylin White, 19 and Lafayette Whaley, 27 were all charged with one count of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit robbery and second-degree robbery.

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Major Crime Team has requested the U.S. Marshals Service's assistance to find and arrest Jackson.

Jackson is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing about 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. According to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, Jackson is a reputed gang member.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts was urged to call their local law enforcement organization, or submit via the USMS Tips app. More information about the Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

Jackson's release is not the first time an inmate was freed from Los Angeles County jail by mistake. A similar administrative mistake last year led to the erroneous release of a murder suspect, prompting police to shut down the Hollywood (101) Freeway as part of a dramatic manhunt. In that case, it took detectives nearly a month to apprehend the murder suspect.

City News Service contributed to this report.