On September 16, 2024, at approximately 4:50 a.m., Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon near Victory Boulevard and Bellingham Avenue in North Hollywood. Upon arrival, they discovered 32-year-old Joseph Paul Tamburello deceased inside a vehicle, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Witnesses at the scene identified 37-year-old Sean Griffin as the assailant who had fired into Tamburello's vehicle.
As officers approached, Griffin pointed a firearm at them, prompting an officer-involved shooting. Griffin fled on foot, leading to a pursuit during which he confronted officers multiple times, each resulting in exchanges of gunfire. The confrontation culminated in a parking structure near Victory Boulevard, where Griffin was fatally shot by police.
A loaded firearm was recovered near Griffin, containing one round in the chamber and two in the magazine, along with additional ammunition found on his person. No officers were injured during the incident. The relationship between Tamburello and Griffin, if any, remains unclear, and the motive behind the initial shooting is still under investigation.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner confirmed Tamburello's identity and listed his residence as Glendora, California. The LAPD's Force Investigation Division is conducting a comprehensive review of the officer-involved shooting, with oversight from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office to ensure adherence to protocols and determine the appropriateness of the use of force.
This incident has raised concerns within the North Hollywood community regarding public safety and the circumstances leading to such violent encounters. As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with additional information to contact the LAPD to assist in uncovering further details surrounding the deaths of both Tamburello and Griffin.
