The man who was shot during the dognapping of Lady Gaga's beloved French bulldogs earlier this year is broke and homeless.
Two months ago, Ryan Fischer set out on a six-month journey across the United States to find "communities that support the process of growing from trauma." However, his rented van has since broken down, essentially leaving Ryan stranded.
On Aug. 16, he launched a GoFundMe in hopes of continuing his travels, which he described as a "sabbatical." The purpose of the extended road trip, Ryan said on his page, is to help with his emotional and mental health.
"With no vehicle, apartment, and having run out of savings and surviving on donations from generous loved ones, I am humbly asking for your help," he wrote. "This is not an easy thing to ask, but I have started to realize sharing your vulnerability with others is exactly when radical change begins to occur for everyone involved."
Ryan would use the money for a van purchase and travel expenses.
Nearly a day into his plea, donations are somewhat lagging, as he's garnered less than 15 percent of his $40,000 goal.
In a YouTube video on the GoFundMe page, Ryan posted snippets from the road, as well as videos from his hospital recovery.
Ryan was shot on Feb. 24 while walking Gaga's three French Bulldogs in Hollywood, Calif. Video of the incident showed a white car pulling up to Ryan during an evening dog walk. During a brief skirmish in which Ryan tried protecting the dogs, he was shot four times.
The thieves got away with two of the dogs, Koji and Gustav, as Ryan bled on the sidewalk and begged for help. A third dog, Miss Asia, ran away and later came back to Ryan as he waited for emergency personnel.
In April, five suspects — some of whom had gang ties — were charged in connection with the dognapping, including the woman who returned the dogs, claiming she found them tied to an alleyway pole.
After the incident, Gaga tweeted her praise for Ryan.
"I continue to love you Ryan Fischer, you risked your life to fight for our family," she wrote. "You're forever a hero."
Ryan was released from the hospital just over a month after the near-fatal incident.