It was around 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 28th, 2008 when Matt and two of his friends decided to go celebrate the Puerto Rican Day Parade.
On the way home, their car broke down at 6th and Green streets in the Northern Liberties section. They tried for about an hour to fix it themselves.
A car passed by, with three men inside, and Novak flagged it down. Novak spoke to them then returned to his friends.
His father, Matt Novak, Sr., told Action News back in 2009 that his son told them 'I'll be right back. I'm going to get jumper cables.' Then, for some reason, he got in the car with the men.
Police say the men drove Novak 8 blocks to 13th and Fairmount. That's when someone either kicked or pushed Novak out of the car and shot him.
Novak died later that night at the hospital.
Surveillance cameras at the crime scene captured shots of the suspect's car.
Authorities have determined they are looking for an electric blue Chevy Impala with New Jersey plates. Witnesses say three men were inside the car, two in front and one in the back.
Anyone with information can contact Philadelphia Police at 215.686.TIPS (8477) or submit a tip through the police website.