LOS ANGELES, CA — The FBI on Tuesday announced an increased, $1 million reward for information leading to the capture of a man suspected of killing another man at a San Fernando Valley barber shop.
Omar Alexander Cardenas, 31, is on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives list and a suspected Pierce Street Gang member, according to authorities.
Cardenas is wanted for the 2019 killing of Jabali Dumas, 46, at the Hair Icon Barber Shop on Foothill Boulevard in Sylmar. Cardenas is suspected of firing several rounds from a semi-automatic handgun at Dumas, striking him in the head, according to the FBI.
The FBI released video footage of Cardenas entering the shopping mall and then running away within seconds of the shooting.
Cardenas was charged with murder less than a year after the shooting and local authorities issued a warrant for his arrest. A federal arrest warrant was issued in 2021 after Cardenas was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, according to the FBI.
Cardenas was added to the Most Wanted list in 2022. Authorities previously offered a $100,000 reward for his capture, then a $250,000 reward. The award has been increased to $1 million, authorities said Tuesday.
“We believe that someone knows Omar Cardenas’ whereabouts, and we’re urging anyone with information to please come forward,” Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said at a Tuesday news conference, according to ABC News. “Our mission is clear — to locate and apprehend Cardenas and bring justice for the Dumas family.”
At the news conference, Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI Los Angeles field office, said Cardenas is believed to have fled to Mexico.
“Mexico is not safe for you. Mr. Cardenas, if that’s where you’re hiding,” Davis said. “I have full faith in this task force that they will bring you to justice.”
The FBI leader said the U.S.’ relationship with the Mexican government “has never been stronger,” pointing to the recent apprehension in Mexico of Ryan Wedding, the Olympic snowboarder turned Most Wanted fugitive.
According to the FBI, Cardenas is a member of the “Pierce Street” gang and may associate with the street gang known as “Pacoima Van Nuys Boys – Anybody Killas.” He has gone by the nickname “Dollar.”
Cardenas is between 5’6″ and 5’7″. At the time he fled, Cardenas weighed approximately 240 to 300 pounds and had dark brown hair and a beard. Investigators believe that Cardenas may vary the style of his hair, including facial hair, and his weight may fluctuate. He is known to wear prescription glasses but may alternate his vision correction by using contact lenses.