Criminal goes viral because of black eyeball tattoo: Everything you need to know about Jason Barnum
In 2012, 37-year-old Jason Barnum gained national attention—not just for shooting a police officer in Anchorage, Alaska, but for his unusual appearance. His body was heavily tattooed, including a black tattoo that covered the white of his right eye, earning him the nickname “Eyeball.”
Barnum pleaded guilty after firing at officers who entered his hotel room during an investigation into a series of burglaries and car thefts. Police returned fire, and a SWAT team was called in. Although the officer was injured, he survived. Barnum was sentenced to over 20 years in prison.
Inside his hotel room, police found stolen jewelry and other valuables. Investigators discovered that Barnum had been on a crime spree, stealing cars and breaking into homes to fund his heroin addiction. He already had 14 prior convictions and told the court that his heavily tattooed appearance made it impossible to find a job after being released from prison in 2010.
He also blamed the Alaska Department of Corrections for providing no support after his release. Anchorage Police Chief Mark Mew commented during the hearing, saying Barnum seemed to wake up every day with bad intentions toward others. He added that while Barnum had the right to express himself through tattoos, his behavior and attitude were clear indicators of his character.
During the trial, a bizarre rumor emerged online claiming that Barnum was the son of actor Harrison Ford. This rumor was spread by a misleading article titled “Harrison Ford has pretty much given up on his son,” but it was quickly proven false. Today, Barnum is reportedly serving his sentence at Spring Creek Correctional Center in Seward, Alaska.
