Barger Brings Forward $10K Reward to Solve Teen’s Murder in Palmdale

Los Angeles , CA (September 12, 2023) – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger that offers a $10,000 reward in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of 19 year-old Jacob Matthew Taylor.

The teenager was shot while at Marie Kerr Park, which is located in the 39900 block of 30th Street West in Palmdale on November 1, 2022. Deputies from the Sheriff’s Palmdale Station responded to a call regarding assault with a deadly weapon at approximately 12:46 a.m. and found him unresponsive. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“My heart goes out to this young man’s family who has been left with an unfillable void in their lives,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “The loss of a son, brother, and grandchild will be felt forever. I’m hopeful that providing this reward will help us find those responsible for Jacob’s murder. There needs to be accountability for this senseless loss of a precious life.”

“Losing Jacob so early in his life is extremely painful for our family,” stated Monty and Jessica Taylor, the youth’s parents. “His two little sisters are broken-hearted. We loved him beyond words and we ache for him everyday. We are grateful for this reward, and pray that someone in our Antelope Valley community will come forward to help solve our son’s murder. This isn’t only about justice for Jacob or helping us find closure. This is also about preventing whomever is responsible from devastating another family.”

According to investigators, a group of people were in the park’s west parking lot when a fight broke out, but it was quickly broken up. About 10 minutes later, the unknown suspects drove into the parking lot in a pickup truck and began shooting at the crowd.

Investigators from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are still actively working on the case. Anyone with information about this shooting can call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau General Hotline at (323) 890-5500 and ask to speak with Detective Michael Haggerty or Detective Francis X. Hardiman. Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the Los Angeles Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1(800) 222-TIPS (8477) or online at lacrimestoppers.org.