Key takeaways
Prepare before the opening marker and treat each objective update as a checkpoint.
- Primary goal Franklin identifies and kills Jackson Skinner after observing his meeting with a sex worker.
- Protect mission-critical assets Avoid unnecessary vehicle damage, friendly fire, or abandoning a required target outside the objective radius.
- Use protagonist abilities Use Franklin for precision driving, Michael for controlled gunfights, and Trevor for high-damage combat whenever the mission makes them available.
- Do not rush the final marker Clear pursuit conditions and keep required characters or vehicles together before entering extraction.
Overview
Franklin identifies and kills Jackson Skinner after observing his meeting with a sex worker.
Franklin identifies and kills Jackson Skinner after observing his meeting with a sex worker.
This Story Mode mission advances the protagonists’ connected storyline. Some neighboring missions can become available simultaneously, so the exact play order may vary.
The walkthrough below separates travel, setup, combat, pursuit, and extraction checkpoints so a failed section can be diagnosed without repeating the same mistake.
Characters in this mission
Where this sits
- 1The Multi Target AssassinationpreviousPrevious
- ●The Vice AssassinationcurrentCurrent guide
- 3The Bus AssassinationnextNext
Branching heist preparations and simultaneous character missions can alter the playable order.
Requirements and recommended loadout
Enter with mission-appropriate ammunition, armor, and a vehicle that can survive the opening travel phase.
- RequiredComplete the preceding story unlocks
- RecommendedFull body armor and stocked ammunitionParticularly valuable for missions marked moderate or hard.
- RecommendedAccurate mid-range weaponA rifle or stable automatic weapon handles most outdoor gunfights.
- OptionalClose-range backupUseful inside buildings, alleys, and vehicles.
- RecommendedSave the relevant protagonist abilityUse it for the most difficult chase, driving, or combat checkpoint.
Objectives
- Travel to the marked observation area
- Wait and watch the approaching clients
- Identify Skinner when the correct vehicle arrives
- Eliminate the target before he escapes
- Leave the area and lose any wanted level
- Await Lester’s confirmation
Detailed walkthrough
- 01
Travel to the marked observation area
Travel to the marked observation areaTravel to the marked observation area. Use the minimap to anticipate turns, preserve the mission vehicle, and prioritize keeping visual contact over risky shortcuts. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.
TipBefore triggering the opening marker, restock armor and ammunition if the mission is expected to involve combat.
- 02
Wait and watch the approaching clients
Wait and watch the approaching clientsWait and watch the approaching clients. Follow the marked route and wait for the objective prompt to update before leaving the area. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.
- 03
Identify Skinner when the correct vehicle arrives
Identify Skinner when the correct vehicle arrivesIdentify Skinner when the correct vehicle arrives. Center each required subject until the game confirms it; an unregistered photo or scan will prevent the next objective from appearing. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.
- 04
Eliminate the target before he escapes
Eliminate the target before he escapesEliminate the target before he escapes. Break line of sight before hiding, avoid main roads where new units spawn ahead, and remain outside vision cones until the wanted level clears. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.
- 05
Leave the area and lose any wanted level
Leave the area and lose any wanted levelLeave the area and lose any wanted level. Break line of sight before hiding, avoid main roads where new units spawn ahead, and remain outside vision cones until the wanted level clears. Once the checkpoint registers, immediately orient toward the next marked objective.
Watch outA failed push can expose the mission vehicle or protagonist to concentrated damage; reset behind cover instead of forcing progress.
- 06
Await Lester’s confirmation
Await Lester’s confirmationAwait Lester’s confirmation. Follow the marked route and wait for the objective prompt to update before leaving the area. Remain in the final marker until the mission-complete transition begins.
Difficult sections and useful strategies
Strengths
- Frequent objective markers make the intended route readable
- Character switching or team roles can divide pressure
- Most combat checkpoints provide cover or a defensible angle
Weaknesses
- Mission-critical vehicles and allies can fail the attempt
- Police or enemy reinforcements punish slow extraction
- Long pursuits can be lost by overcommitting to shortcuts
Best uses
- Clear enemies from range before moving a required vehicle
- Use special abilities during the hardest driving or combat segment
- Restart from the latest checkpoint after a failed gold-medal attempt rather than improvising a damaged route
Completion checklist
- Travel to the marked observation areaCheckpoint 1
- Wait and watch the approaching clientsCheckpoint 2
- Identify Skinner when the correct vehicle arrivesCheckpoint 3
- Eliminate the target before he escapesCheckpoint 4
- Leave the area and lose any wanted levelCheckpoint 5
- Await Lester’s confirmationFinal completion condition
Failure conditions and checkpoints
- A required protagonist, ally, or protected target dies.Restart from the most recent mission checkpoint.
- A mission-critical vehicle is destroyed, abandoned, or leaves the playable route.Use the restart option rather than continuing in an unmarked replacement.
- The target escapes or a timed objective expires.Prioritize route discipline and the primary objective over optional combat.
- The player is wasted or all shared team lives are exhausted.Story Mode reloads the latest checkpoint.
On failure
Major travel, combat, and transition phases generally create checkpoints, but exact restart placement can vary by approach and replay mode.
Rewards and aftermath
- Mission completion and progressionUnlocks the next related story activity, contact, property, or preparation where applicable.
Sources and verification
- GTA Base — GTA V missions list and walkthrough index — verified 2026-08-04 — GTA Base
- GTA V Wiki — Story Missions — verified 2026-08-04 — GTA V Wiki
- Codex model knowledge — detailed step expansion pending editorial gameplay review — Internal editorial