A Riverside County man has been convicted in the 2019 fatal shooting of an off-duty Los Angeles Police Department officer during a confrontation in Lincoln Heights.
Cristian Facundo, 27, of Temecula, was found guilty on July 31 in connection with the death of Officer Juan Jose Diaz, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said Facundo is expected to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole later this year.
The case stems from a series of events that began with acts of vandalism and ended in a fatal shooting that claimed the life of the 24-year-old officer.
Incident
According to prosecutors, the incidents began shortly after midnight on July 27, 2019, when Facundo and several others vandalized a vehicle belonging to the former boyfriend of one member of the group.
Authorities said the group then traveled to the 4200 block of Eagle Rock Boulevard, where gang-related graffiti was spray-painted on the side of a business.
Later, the group went to the Lincoln Heights area near Artesian Street and Avenue 26.
Officer Juan Jose Diaz, who was off duty at the time, was eating at a nearby taco stand with his girlfriend and her two brothers. While they were sitting in the bed of a pickup truck, Diaz noticed Facundo spray-painting gang-related graffiti on a sidewalk and asked him to stop.
Investigators said the encounter quickly became confrontational.
Shooting
According to LAPD investigators, Facundo allegedly lifted his shirt to display a handgun and claimed gang affiliation while accusing Diaz and the others of being in gang territory.
Authorities said Diaz and his companions chose to leave the area to avoid further confrontation and got into their pickup truck.
As the truck drove away, prosecutors said Facundo fired multiple rounds into the vehicle through the open rear window.
Officer Diaz was fatally wounded during the shooting. His girlfriend’s brother was also struck and suffered serious facial injuries but survived.
Investigators said the shooting occurred after the victims had attempted to leave the area without further confrontation.
| Case Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Cristian Facundo |
| Victim | Officer Juan Jose Diaz |
| Date of shooting | July 27, 2019 |
| Location | Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles |
| Conviction date | July 31, 2026 |
| Sentencing | Scheduled for Oct. 27, 2026 |
Investigation
Authorities said the incidents did not end after the shooting.
According to investigators, Facundo and the group returned to an earlier location where they had vandalized a vehicle and allegedly waited for another individual connected to the earlier dispute.
Police said shots were fired again, but the firearm malfunctioned, allowing the intended victims to escape without injury.
On Aug. 2, 2019, investigators served multiple search warrants in Murrieta, Riverside, and Temecula, leading to the arrests of Facundo and two additional suspects.
Verdict
Prosecutors announced that Facundo was convicted of first-degree murder with a gang special circumstance allegation, shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, and felony vandalism involving more than $400 in damage.
Jurors also found multiple firearm allegations to be true.
Facundo is expected to be sentenced on Oct. 27 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. According to prosecutors, he faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said the verdict represents an important step in the legal process following the officer’s death.
Accomplices
Two co-defendants previously resolved their cases through guilty pleas.
Francisco Talamantes III pleaded guilty in 2021 to attempted murder, voluntary manslaughter, assault with a firearm, vandalism, and a gang enhancement. He was sentenced to 25 years in state prison.
Ashlynn Smith pleaded guilty to vandalism and being an accessory after the fact. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 18 and could face up to eight years and eight months in prison.
Legacy
Officer Juan Jose Diaz had served with the Los Angeles Police Department for two years before his death.
Friends, family, and colleagues remembered him as someone who had long wanted to become a police officer despite growing up in a neighborhood affected by gang violence.
Officials said Diaz remained committed to serving his community both on and off duty.
Following the verdict, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the decision represents an important step toward accountability while acknowledging the lasting impact of Officer Diaz’s death on his family, friends, and fellow officers.
The conviction concludes a major stage in a case that began with acts of vandalism and escalated into a fatal shooting. While sentencing is still pending, the verdict marks a significant legal outcome in the death of Officer Juan Jose Diaz.
FAQs
Who was convicted in the case?
Cristian Facundo was convicted of killing Officer Juan Diaz.
Who was Officer Juan Diaz?
He was an off-duty LAPD officer killed in 2019.
Where did the shooting happen?
The shooting occurred in Lincoln Heights, Los Angeles.
When is sentencing scheduled?
Facundo is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 27, 2026.
What sentence does he face?
He is expected to receive life without parole.
