“Devastating”: A Hollywood personality was killed inside her home in a random attack

Michael Latt, a marketing consultant and social justice advocate with strong ties to Hollywood, died Monday after a woman entered his home and fired a shot, hitting him in the head, law enforcement sources told the Times.

Authorities believe the shooting was a random act of violence.

Police were called around 6 p.m. about a shooting at Lat’s home in the 900 block of Alandele Street. Officers arrived to find him shot in the head. He was taken to the hospital where he died of his wounds.

A preliminary investigation concluded that Lat was shot by a woman who entered his home without his permission. The suspect, identified by police as Jamila Elena Michele, 36, was arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene. She was taken into custody by responding officers and held in lieu of $3 million bail.

Law enforcement described Michele as someone living in her car, which was parked nearby and removed by police as evidence. Law enforcement sources told the Times that Lat did not know her assailant, and preliminary information indicated that she was not allowed into the home.

Lat was the CEO of Lead With Love, an entertainment marketing consulting firm he founded in 2019 with a focus on uplifting Black creators and other underrepresented voices in Hollywood. He was the son of film producer Jonathan Latt and Michelle Satter, the founding senior director of the Sundance Institute. His brother, Franklin Lat, is an agent in the CAA.

“Our beloved son, Michael Lat, was the victim of a tragic act of violence this week,” Sater shared the news of Lat’s death on Wednesday on Channel X. “Michael dedicated his career to supporting artists, supporting organizations that nurtured artists of color, and leveraging storytelling for lasting change. We celebrate his legacy, love, and compassion.”

As news of Lat’s death spread on Wednesday, hundreds of colleagues, friends and collaborators offered their condolences.

“Devastating loss – Michael was a shining beacon of kindness and selfless consistency,” actor Jesse Williams wrote in Lat’s last Instagram post.

The Sundance Institute, where Lat worked before and during his time on Lead With Love, issued a statement on behalf of Lat’s family mourning his death.

“He has dedicated his career to serving others, employing storytelling, art and mixed media to create lasting change and motivate communities with hope, love and inspiration,” the statement read. “Michael will never be forgotten and his legacy and work will live on through his family, friends and colleagues.”