On February 17, 2025, 28-year-old African American male Jakobe E. Barker was fatally shot while seated in his vehicle in the 1300 block of West Estes Avenue in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. According to police reports, the shooting occurred around 12:20 a.m., with Barker sustaining gunshot wounds to the shoulder and torso. He was transported to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where he was pronounced dead at 5:20 a.m.
Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of 31-year-old Antwon Jackson, a resident of Madison, Wisconsin. Prosecutors allege that Jackson rented a blue Buick Encore from Hertz in Madison on February 14, 2025. Surveillance footage captured the vehicle in Chicago two days later, including at a Sonic restaurant in Uptown. Additional video evidence showed Jackson outside with a man holding a gun approximately 25 minutes before the shooting. At around 12:25 a.m. on February 17, surveillance footage depicted Barker’s vehicle and the Buick Encore overtaking each other. When Barker turned onto West Estes Avenue, the Encore continued straight, then turned around at a gas station to follow him. As Barker stopped in front of his girlfriend’s residence, the Encore pulled alongside, and shots were fired from the passenger side, striking Barker. The Buick Encore was later found abandoned in the 1400 block of West Catalpa Avenue. An associate of Jackson attempted to retrieve the vehicle the following day but was apprehended by police. Both this individual and four law enforcement officers identified Jackson from surveillance images. GPS data from the vehicle and Jackson’s phone corroborated his presence at the crime scene.
Antwon Jackson has been charged with first-degree murder and two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested on May 15, 2025, and is currently detained pending a court hearing.
Jakobe E. Barker was laid to rest on March 1, 2025, at Mount Hope Cemetery in Chicago. He is remembered by family and friends as a vibrant individual whose life was tragically cut short by gun violence.
