In a shocking incident on Tuesday, masked thieves on the 10 Freeway robbed a man in broad daylight after intentionally crashing into his car. This comes in the wake of another disturbing event, where a homeless woman named Jameelah Elena Michl is accused of killing Los Angeles movie marketer and social justice activist, Michael Latt, in his own home. Court documents reveal that Michl had allegedly warned about having a gun and her intention to use it earlier this year. Messages sent to a friend of Latt’s, director A.V. Rockwell, contained explicit threats, including one where she mentioned her loaded Glock and expressed her desire to be free with just one pull of the trigger. Rockwell cited these messages when seeking a restraining order against Michl.
Prosecutors state that Michl also made threats to shoot herself in Griffith Park, which is located about five miles from Latt’s condo. On Monday, Michl knocked on Latt’s door, forced her way inside, and shot him with a semiautomatic handgun in his one-bedroom apartment. Another individual who was present at the time managed to escape unharmed. Authorities clarify that this person was not Rockwell. Latt, who lived with his fiancée, tragically succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to the hospital.
It is believed that Michl targeted Latt due to his friendship with Rockwell. Michl had worked on Rockwell’s award-winning film, “A Thousand And One.” Despite her involvement in the project, Michl was living out of her car, which the police seized as evidence. In April, Michl sent a message to Rockwell, expressing her frustration and reminding the director of the difficulties faced by those involved in bringing the film to the screen.
Michl is currently being held on $3 million bail, facing charges of murder, burglary, and unlawful use of a firearm. Her arraignment is scheduled for December 15, and if convicted, she could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Latt came from a prominent Hollywood family, with his mother, Michelle Satter, being a founding director at the Sundance Institute. His father is a producer, and his brother is a top talent agent at CAA. Latt was the CEO and CFO of Lead With Love, a marketing firm he founded, which aimed to support influential women and artists of color and bring about lasting change through storytelling and art.
Latt had worked on impactful films such as “Fruitvale Station” and “Till,” and he actively supported progressive social justice causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement. In one of his Instagram posts, he expressed the need for continued fight against police violence and White supremacy until true justice is achieved in the country.
The tragic incident has shocked the Hollywood community and serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those advocating for social justice. The investigation into the motive behind the crime continues, and the case awaits further proceedings in court.
