A tragic incident occurred in Rogers Park at the beginning of 2025, as a Wisconsin man has been charged with the murder of Jakobe Barker. Antwon Jackson, 31, was apprehended by Judge Dedire Dyer following a thorough investigation that utilized rental car records, phone location data, and extensive video footage.
According to prosecutors, Jackson rented a blue Buick Encore from Hertz in Madison on Valentine’s Day and was later captured on video at a Sonic restaurant in Uptown just two days later. Additional footage linked Jackson to the rental car, including a video showing him outside with another individual who was armed with a gun approximately 25 minutes before the fatal shooting.
On the night of February 17, surveillance footage captured Barker driving near the Encore, with the two vehicles appearing to pass each other. As Barker arrived at his girlfriend’s residence on Estes, the Encore followed him, eventually pulling up alongside his vehicle. Shots were fired from the Encore, resulting in Barker’s death. Prosecutors believe that Jackson was the one who fired the fatal shots from the passenger side of the vehicle.
After the murder, the Encore was found abandoned in the vicinity of West Catalpa, where law enforcement officers staked out the vehicle. A known associate of Jackson attempted to retrieve the car the following day but was arrested by the police. This individual, along with four separate law enforcement officers, positively identified Jackson from various surveillance images obtained from Hertz and other locations. GPS data from both the Encore and Jackson’s phone corroborated their presence at the scene of the crime and other key locations.
The motive behind Barker’s murder remains unclear, as the proffer provided by prosecutors did not offer any specific details in this regard. The swift apprehension of Jackson and the detailed investigative work conducted by law enforcement highlight the commitment to seeking justice for the victim and holding the perpetrator accountable for their actions.
This exclusive report sheds light on the tragic events that unfolded in Rogers Park at the beginning of 2025, underscoring the importance of diligent police work and the use of technology in solving crimes.
