The shooting that has social media buzzing may have Cincinnati connections.
Page Six reports without substantiation that Ryan Fischer, the man who reportedly was shot while walking pop superstar Lady Gaga’s dogs on Feb. 24, was born in Cincinnati.
A Feb. 26 Cincinnati Enquirer story says “Authorities have not named the man. But according to People [Magazine], a close friend and former client identified the injured man as Ryan Fischer, who grew up in Anderson Township.” As of Feb. 26, the links in the Enquirer story do not go to pages that directly address the man’s origin.
CityBeat found a Ryan Fischer on Facebook who lists his current home as being in Hudson, New York, while being from Cincinnati. The profile photo on the account resembles Lady Gaga’s dog walker, and the cover photo features a travel cup that says “Vote dog.” A similar Instagram account says "Seeking Fisch for my Flock," possibly referencing Fischer, and another Instagram account linked to that focuses on dogs.
According to the Associated Press, police were called to North Sierra Bonita Avenue near Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The Los Angeles Police Department says that a man walking three of Lady Gaga’s dogs was shot after a car pulled up and the two men inside tried to steal the dogs. A nearby doorbell camera captured video of the incident, in which the dog walker says “Oh my God! I’ve been shot!” and “Help me!” and “I’m bleeding out from my chest!”
The singer’s dogs are French bulldogs, which reportedly can cost thousands of dollars each and often are targets for theft. The dogs have been recovered and are safe.
On Feb. 25, People Magazine published a story in which someone names Ryan Fischer as the dog walker in question. Fred Pescatore told Entertainment Tonight that Fisher had lived in New York and moved to Los Angeles about four years ago. While in New York, Fischer was Pescatore’s friend and dog walker, Pescatore said.
“It's just heartbreaking and I know he must've been absolutely trying to protect them,” Pescatore reportedly said. “He would literally lay down his life for any one of our dogs and I certainly hope that that was not the case this time.”
In a Feb. 26 follow-up story, People reports that Fischer is in stable condition at a Los Angeles hospital.
“Los Angeles Police Capt. Jonathan Tippet tells PEOPLE Fischer was shot one time in the chest and is stable after police said yesterday he was in critical condition,” People reports. “Tippet confirmed a disturbing video released Thursday by TMZ showed the robbery in Hollywood of Fischer, during which Fischer struggled to prevent the kidnapping of Gaga's two French bulldogs, Koji and Gustav, who were stolen.”
