Crime & Safety

Police Seek Man With Possible Connection to Gatto Killing

Police said the man is wanted for an alleged assault with a deadly weapon that occurred the night before Gatto's death.

The Los Angeles Police Department on Tuesday sought the public's help in locating a man that may have a connection to last week's killing of Joseph Gatto in Silver Lake.

Police said they are looking for a man wanted for an alleged assault with a deadly weapon that occurred the evening before Gatto was found shot to death in his home.


According to police, the man attempted to break into a vehicle in the 2300 block of Moreno Drive in Silver Lake at 6:50 p.m. on Nov. 12.

When confronted by two separate witnesses, the man allegedly pointed a gun at the witnesses and threatened to kill them, police said. The man then fled down a public stairway on Tesla Avenue.

According to police, the suspect "may be connected to a homicide that occurred on the 2800 block of Bright Lane." Gatto was found dead in his home in the 2800 block of Bright Lane last Wednesday night.

The suspect is described as a 20-25 year-old white male, 5 feet, 9 inches high, weighing 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a multicolored hooded sweatshirt, tan pants and a tan backpack.

Police asked that anyone with any information on the alleged assault contact the LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division at 213-486-6890 or the department's 24-hour hotline at 877-LAPD247 (877-527-3247).

Anonymous tips can also be sent in through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or by texting TIPLA, a space, and the tip to CRIMES (274637). Online anonymous web tips can also be submitted at www.lapdonline.org under the "Anonymous Web Tips" section.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Montrose-La Crescenta