LA's Most Wanted: Reward in death of arts teacher Joseph Gatto

(FOX 11) - In the two years since Joseph Gatto was murdered in his Silver Lake home, no one has ever come forward with information which could qualify them to receive the $50,000 reward the City of Los Angeles is offering.

The 78-year-old victim was a teacher at the Los Angeles County High School for The Arts and an artist, well known for his jewelry. His son is California Assemblyman Mike Gatto who represents Silver Lake and surrounding areas.

The young man was described at 20-25 years old, about 5' 9" tall, weighing around 180 pounds.

Earlier on the evening of Tuesday, November 12, 2013, he was seen breaking into cars along Moreno Drive in the Silver Lake District. When he was confronted by passersby who warned that they were going to call the police, the man pointed a gun at them and walked away. LAPD Detective Barry Telis believes the gunman, dressed in a hoodie and carrying a backpack, took a very narrow stairway down to Kenilworth Avenue. That's where he saw Joseph Gatto's garage with its door open. Detective Telis believes the gunman went inside to hide, but became trapped when Mr. Gatto closed the garage door. At some point, the gunman entered the attached house and murdered Mr. Gatto.

Detective Telis believes the killer lives in or near the Silver Lake District. He also believes the gunman is continuing to commit crimes of opportunity which includes car and residential burglaries. He must be considered armed and dangerous. It's very likely that the man has talked about killing Joseph Gatto.

Anyone with any information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the murderer is asked to call the LAPD's hotline at 1-877-LAPD-24-7, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. The $50,000 reward remains in effect.