Lady Gaga’s Dognappers Arrested for Attempted Murder, Robbery
Two months after Lady Gaga’s dog walker was shot and her two French bulldogs were stolen, five people have been arrested, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office confirmed to Rolling Stone.
Three suspects — James Jackson, 18; Jaylin White, 19; and Lafayette Whaley, 27 — were charged with one count each of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, and second-degree robbery. In addition, Jackson also faces one count each of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and a felon carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle. White faces one count of assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury.
The assailants are documented gang members, police said, who were targeting bulldogs because of their high value. They added that the suspects were unaware that Gaga was the owner.
Two additional defendants, Harold White, 40, and Jennifer McBride, 50, were charged with accessory after the fact to attempted murder. McBride returned the dogs to the police two days later in response to Gaga’s half-million-dollar reward; LAPD Capt. Jonathan Tippet initially said the woman who delivered them was “uninvolved and unassociated,” but police advised Gaga to hold off on paying the reward. Harold was charged with one count of possession of a firearm, while McBride was charged with one count of receiving stolen property.
The suspects will be arraigned on Thursday at Los Angeles’ Foltz Criminal Justice Center. “This was a brazen street crime that left a man seriously wounded,” District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement. “We have alleged very serious charges in this case and have faith that justice will be appropriately served as this case unfolds in court.”
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The incident occurred on February 24th, when Gaga’s dog walker Ryan Fischer was shot with a semi-automatic handgun around 9:40 p.m. local time. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the male suspect took the dogs, named Koji and Gustav, and fled the scene in a white Nissan Altima.
Following the announcement that Fischer would make a full recovery, he recounted the shooting in an Instagram post last month. “I am humbled and grateful that attention and focus from the police were enough to get Koji and Gustav back to safety, and I know they are committed to bringing these criminals and attempted murderers to justice,” he said. “I am so appreciative of everything you continue to do.”
A representative for Lady Gaga declined to comment on the arrests.
