Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

2 Charged in Murder of Off-Duty LAPD Officer

Talamantes and Facundo face charges including murder with special circumstances and other counts. That would make them eligible for the death penalty if convicted. Smith faces charges including shooting into an inhabited vehicle and accessory to murder.

August 7, 2019
2 Charged in Murder of Off-Duty LAPD Officer

LAPD officer Juan Diaz was shot and killed off duty after confronting taggers. (Photo: LAPD)

2 min to read


Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore announced charges Tuesday against three out-of-town gang members accused of fatally shooting an off-duty Los Angeles police officer at a taco stand during a 90-minute crime spree in northeast Los Angeles last month.

The three — two men and a woman — were identified as Francisco Talamantes, 23; Cristian Facundo, 20; and Ashlynn Smith, 18. All three are residents of Temecula, CA, and were being held without bail since their arrest on Friday. Facundo fired the fatal shot that killed Officer Juan Diaz, Moore said.

Ad Loading...

Talamantes and Facundo face charges including murder with special circumstances and other counts. That would make them eligible for the death penalty if convicted. Smith faces charges including shooting into an inhabited vehicle and accessory to murder.

Friday’s arrests ended a six-day manhunt for the suspects.

Capt. Billy Hayes, the head of the Robbery-Homicide Division, told the Los Angeles Times that investigators tied the group to the crime spree with surveillance video, witness statements and forensic evidence.

Shortly after midnight on July 27, the three suspects and another 21-year-old woman from Los Angeles vandalized a vehicle owned by a former boyfriend on Avenue 33 and later tagged a location on Eagle Rock Avenue, Hayes said. The group then tagged a location on Artesina Place, which is where Officer Diaz confronted the tagger.

Facundo allegedly lifted his shirt to reveal a handgun, Hayes said. The tagger later returned with a group of young men and began threatening the 24-year-old Diaz, his girlfriend and her two brothers. Diaz, who was off duty, and his group tried to hurry to their car and drive away to avoid a violent confrontation.

Ad Loading...

As they got into the vehicle, the gunman opened fire, fatally wounding Diaz and wounding one of his girlfriend’s brothers. Talamantes and Facundo “walked with determination” back to the truck to fire bullets into the vehicle, Moore said.

More Patrol

Graphic celebrating 1,613 Folds of Honor graduates, featuring graduation books, a diploma, a mortarboard cap, the Folds of Honor logo, and an inset photo of a graduate standing in front of a campus building.
PatrolJune 11, 2026

Folds of Honor Celebrates Graduation Season as 1,613 Military and First Responder Family Scholars Earn Their Degrees

Every Folds of Honor scholar graduating in the Class of 2026 carries a story starting with sacrifice. Folds of Honor ensures it doesn’t end there. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 educational scholarships to military and first responder families.

Read More →
Graphic for a POLICE Magazine article on Tennessee’s new deadly force law, featuring Lady Justice, handcuffs, a Tennessee map with Nashville highlighted, and the headline “Impact of New Deadly Force Law.”
Patrolby David StephensJune 4, 2026

Why Tennessee’s New Deadly Force Law Matters Beyond Tennessee

Tennessee’s new deadly force law is more limited than many may realize. Effective July 1, 2026, the law applies to a person who is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor and who is in a place where the person lawfully resides. But it could have far-reaching influence.

Read More →
Graphic comparing EMS transport options: an ambulance responding with emergency lights versus police officers assisting an injured person into a patrol vehicle. Headline asks whether to wait for EMS or transport immediately, noting the decision depends on the situation.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJune 2, 2026

When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer by Police Vehicle?

Time-sensitive injuries like penetrating trauma mean a wounded officer needs to reach a trauma center as soon as possible, and in some cases, that means transporting by police vehicle rather than waiting for EMS. What are the factors to consider in making that transport decision?

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Man in a blue blazer lifting his shirt to reveal a concealed handgun in a waistband holster while standing outdoors.
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty

What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.

Read More →
Graphic titled “5 Things to Know When Buying Backup Lights” featuring a compact Streamlight flashlight attached to tactical gear. Police Law Enforcement Solutions branding appears in the lower corner against a dark, dramatic background.
PatrolMay 21, 2026

5 Things to Know When Buying Backup Lights for Patrol Use

What is the value of a backup light, and what do you need to consider when selecting one? These smaller lights are invaluable as a secondary or special-purpose light and can be easily carried in a pocket or clipped to MOLLE gear, a key chain, shirt, or a vest.

Read More →
graphic honoring fallen law enforcement officers featuring a uniformed officer holding a folded American flag, with bold text reading “2026 Roll Call of Heroes” and “363 Fallen Officers Honored,” alongside the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund logo.
PatrolMay 14, 2026

363 Fallen Officers Honored During National Police Week

In case you missed NELOMF’s annual Candlelight Vigil, here are all 363 names of the fallen officers whose names were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic honoring New York City Police Department officers as “Officer of the Month” for March 2026. The image features portraits of Chief Aaron Edwards and Sergeant Luis Navarro alongside department and recognition text.
PatrolMay 14, 2026

NYPD Officers Who Responded Quickly During IED Incident Recognized as NLEOMF Officers of the Month

Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro were recognized by NLEOMF as Officers of the Month for their response during an IED incident and their actions that helped prevent harm to the public.

Read More →
Infographic summarizing results from a national survey on policing reputation. Ten key findings cover public trust, communication, demographics, media influence, local policing, AI concerns, and emergency response, using charts, icons, and statistics throughout.
PatrolMay 14, 2026

National Police Survey Reveals How Americans View Policing Today

A new national survey offers a comprehensive look at how Americans view policing. The study uncovers public sentiment toward local vs. federal police, communications, crisis response, the use of AI in policing, and more.

Read More →
Product image of a Streamlight TLR-7 X tactical flashlight on a dark background. The compact black weapon-mounted light is shown in close-up beneath the Streamlight logo, highlighting its lens, controls, and mounting hardware.
PatrolMay 14, 2026

Streamlight TLR-7 X Selected as Standard Issue Pistol Light by Canadian Federal Police

The Canadian Federal Police will be adding a new duty pistol system, which will include Streamlight’s TLR-7 X and a Glock 45 MOS 7 pistol with a red dot sight.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
poeple dressed in dark clothing holding candles during a candlelight vigil.
PatrolMay 8, 2026

Fallen Law Enforcement Officers from Across the Country to be Honored During 38th Annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13th in Washington, D.C.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) will honor 363 fallen officers who have died in the line of duty as their names are added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial during the annual Candlelight Vigil on May 13.

Read More →