On a tragic day in Louisville, Kentucky, a young man's life was cut short, leaving a void in the hearts of his family and friends. Jacob Tyler Skees, a 22-year-old male, was killed on September 9, 2018. He was discovered shot in his vehicle in the Pleasure Ridge Park neighborhood. Skees was a resident of Simpsonville and was known for his passion for music, songwriting, and art.
He was an employee of Penrod Fencing and also performed his own music under the name High Dream Society.
The events leading to his untimely death began to unfold on Maravian Drive, although police believe the actual shooting occurred on Hackel Drive. According to law enforcement, the incident stemmed from a drug transaction that took a fatal turn. An altercation led to shots being fired, and Jacob Skees was struck. In the aftermath, a witness who was with Skees at the time managed to escape the scene. The investigation into the shooting also revealed that a stray bullet from the incident nearly struck a woman sleeping in a nearby house, highlighting the indiscriminate danger of the violence that erupted.
Following an investigation by the Louisville Metro Police Department, a suspect was identified and apprehended. James Green, also 22 years old at the time, was arrested and charged with the murder of Jacob Skees. The charges against Green were extensive and included murder, wanton endangerment, receiving a stolen firearm, and tampering with physical evidence. An additional charge of possession of a handgun by a convicted felon was also filed. The firearm used in the shooting was later reported to have been stolen in 2015. After the shooting, Green allegedly gave the gun to his girlfriend and instructed her to dispose of it. A judge set Green's bond at $250,000, and he was ordered to have no contact with the victim's family.
