A Chilling Execution Outside Hair Icon (Image Credits: Nypost.com)
Los Angeles – Federal authorities intensified their search for a top fugitive accused in a brazen daytime killing outside a Sylmar barber shop.
A Chilling Execution Outside Hair Icon
On August 15, 2019, gunfire erupted in a busy outdoor shopping center in Sylmar, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley.[1][2] Omar Alexander Cardenas allegedly approached 46-year-old Jabari Dumas and fired multiple rounds from a semi-automatic handgun from about 30 feet away.[1] The shots struck Dumas in the head, and he died at the scene.
Investigators recovered a vehicle believed to belong to Cardenas along with other evidence during a search of his home.[2] Authorities issued a local murder warrant against him in April 2020 and a federal warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution the following September.[3] The victim appeared to have no prior connection to the suspect.
Portrait of a Top 10 Fugitive
Cardenas, born March 23, 1995, stands between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs between 240 and 300 pounds.[1][2] He has dark brown hair, brown eyes, and often sports a beard while wearing thick prescription glasses. A tattoo marks his body, and he goes by the nickname “Dollar.”
Officials link him to the Pierce Street Gang and associate him with the Pacoima Van Nuys Boys, also known as Anybody Killas.[2][3] The FBI considers him armed and extremely dangerous. Surveillance footage captured his movements on the day of the shooting.[3]
- Height: 5’6″ to 5’7″
- Weight: 240-300 lbs
- Distinct features: Beard, glasses, tattoo
- Gang ties: Pierce Street, Pacoima Van Nuys Boys
- Nickname: Dollar
Reward Escalation Signals Renewed Push
The FBI added Cardenas to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on July 20, 2022, as entry number 528.[1] Rewards for tips leading to his arrest began at $100,000, rose to $250,000 in May 2023, and reached $1 million on March 10, 2026.[3]
| Reward Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| $100,000 | Initial |
| $250,000 | May 2023 |
| $1 million | March 10, 2026 |
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell highlighted Cardenas’ gang affiliations during the announcement.[2] The increase underscores the ongoing commitment to justice in this case.
Trails Leading to Mexico and Beyond
Investigators believe Cardenas fled to Mexico shortly after the murder, where he may still lurk.[2] He maintains family and friends in Southern California and could work in construction there.[1]
Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, issued a direct warning: “Mexico is not safe for you, Mr. Cardenas, if that’s where you’re hiding. I have full faith in this task force that they will bring you to justice.”[2][3] The public can submit tips anonymously via the FBI tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
- Cardenas tops the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted for a 2019 Sylmar murder.
- $1 million now stands as the reward for his capture.
- Authorities urge caution; he remains armed and dangerous.
Years after the fatal shots rang out in Sylmar, the massive reward reflects determination to end Cardenas’ run. Justice for Jabari Dumas hangs in the balance as agents scour borders and neighborhoods alike. What do you think about this manhunt? Tell us in the comments.
