L.A. City Council Offers $75,000 Reward in Glassell Park Killing

By City News Service

A $75,000 reward was announced today for information leading to the prosecution of whoever shot and killed a 42-year-old television director and wounded his wife at their home in Glassell Park.

James Marcus Howe was shot around 10:50 a.m. on Nov. 27 at his home in the 4400 block of West Avenue 42 and was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

His wife was taken to a hospital in serious condition, Richard French of the Los Angeles Police Department said.

Howe and his wife were at home when a 16- to 22-year-old male, posing as a solicitor, knocked on their door, police said.

As Howe and his wife went to answer the door, the first suspect and a second male, this one between 20 and 25, forced their way inside and during an ensuing struggle, the second suspect pulled a handgun and shot both victims, police said.

A third suspect, a female, was also being sought, as was a dark-colored early 2000s Ford Mustang, according to police.

LAPD Detective Harold Dicroce said the victim and his wife moved to the neighborhood with their 6-year-old son during the summer. Howe has been identified in media reports as a director of The CW competition series "America's Next Top Model."

Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact detectives from the LAPD's Northeast Station at (323) 344-5744. After-hours or weekend callers can contact the station watch commander at (323) 344-5701. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.