The founder of a social justice charity that worked with the rapper Common was shot dead in his Los Angeles home by a homeless female intruder, according to police.
Michael Latt, who created the Lead with Love charity, was found critically injured at his Mid-City home on Monday evening and was later declared dead in hospital.
Jameelah Elena Michl, 36, has been charged with the 33-year-old’s murder and is being held on $3million bail.
The homeless woman reportedly stayed at the scene following the shooting. Her vehicle, which police say was her primary residence, was also taken as evidence.
One of Latt’s neighbors told ABC he lived in the home with his girlfriend and their pets.
Michael Latt, who founded the Lead with Love charity, was fatally shot by a female intruder at his Los Angeles home on Monday
The homeless woman reportedly stayed at the scene following the shooting
Residents of the area claimed police said the victim and suspect knew each other, but that information remains unconfirmed and it’s not clear what led to the shooting.
Latt is the son of film producer Jonathan Latt and Michelle Satter, the founding senior director at the Sundance Institute, which is behind the famous film festival.
Satter wrote on X: ‘Our beloved son Michael Latt fell victim to a tragic act of violence this week. Michael devoted his career to supporting artists, championing organizations that raised up artists of color, & leveraged storytelling for enduring change. We celebrate his legacy, love & compassion.’
Latt’s charity said its goal was to harness ‘the power of art to spark change, bring love, hope and healing to communities and empower others.’
The charity organized a ‘Hope & Redemption Tour’ in 2017 where Common performed for inmates at over 10 prisons in California.
The activist also helped organize events for Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Harlem’s Riverside Church that saw speakers such as Lupita Nyong’o and Michael B. Jordan.
He was also photographed with Common at a 2020 Kentucky rally for Breonna Taylor, who was killed by police.
According to his social media, Latt had just returned from a trip to Japan.
Latt worked with the rapper Common and are seen together at a 2020 Kentucky rally for Breonna Taylor, who was killed by police
Latt is the son of Michelle Satter, the founding senior director at the Sundance Institute. They are pictured with writer Lena Waithe at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival
He wrote in his last post on Monday: ‘Such a great couple of days since flying back from Japan. Surrounded by family and friends over this long holiday weekend, it’s been nothing but relaxing, joyful and restful times ahead of a long weeeeek.’
Anyone with information on Latt’s murder is asked to contact West Bureau Homicide Investigators at 213-382-9470.
The fatal home invasion comes after a string of similar incidents in LA.
Earlier this month, security cameras captured the moment homeowner Vince Ricci returned home after two armed men jumped his fence and tried to force their way into his house.
In a swift attempt to defend himself, his wife, five-month-old and the nanny inside Ricci reached for his gun and started a shootout with the intruders. As shots rained down, the two masked robbers scattered.
Ricci earlier revealed this wasn’t the first time he’d been a target of criminals. His home was broken into in June and his car was broken into the month before that.
Back in October, Oscar-winning hair stylist Beatrice De Alba, 59, shot a would-be intruder at her Hollywood Hills mansion.
She told police she fired her weapon after a man reportedly in his 30s tried forcing his way into her $1.7million home from the backyard, claiming he had been injured and needed help.
Robberies in the Democrat-run city have spiked following the defund police movement. A lack of resourcing for law enforcement has caused an exodus of residents to Republican states such as Texas and Florida.
According to Los Angeles crime statistics, homicides are down this year, but robberies have seen a significant rise since last year.
Overall crime rates in the Golden State have soared in recent times as flash mobs and looters raid storefronts.
A rise in homelessness and drug addiction has also plagued the area and has contributed to an uptick in crime.