Imperial County Man Convicted of Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer

Imperial County, CA – August 21, 2024: Christian Isaac Plancarte, the man shot by Calexico police during a domestic disturbance on February 21, 2024, has been convicted on multiple felony charges, including Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer, Attempted First Degree Residential Burglary, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon Upon a Peace Officer.

The charges stem from an incident on the night of February 21, when officers responded to a domestic call at a residence in the 700 block of Grant Street. A senior citizen woman reported that her son, Plancarte, 30, was attempting to force entry into her home using a crowbar. Plancarte, who is technically a transient but considers Calexico his home, was confronted by Calexico Police Department Sergeant Miguel Carbajal and Officer Alexander Hernandez.

According to earlier reports by the Calexico Chronicle on March 1, 2024, Plancarte advanced toward the officers in a threatening manner, wielding the crowbar in a batting position as he quickly approached them. Fearing imminent danger, Officer Hernandez fired his department-issued firearm, striking Plancarte in the abdomen and grazing his leg. Officers then detained Plancarte and administered life-saving treatment until Calexico Fire Department paramedics arrived. Plancarte was airlifted to a San Diego-area hospital for further treatment.

Following his release from the hospital on February 27, Plancarte was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service on a $200,000 warrant for assault with a deadly weapon, attempted burglary, and vandalism. He was held in the Imperial County Jail on $200,000 bail.

In a trial that concluded on August 21, 2024, an Imperial County jury found Plancarte guilty on all charges. The prosecution, led by Deputy District Attorney Eric Alizade, presented compelling evidence that Plancarte intended to harm the officers, leading to his conviction.

Plancarte’s sentencing is scheduled for October 2, 2024, where he faces a significant prison term. This conviction highlights the serious consequences of violent confrontations with law enforcement and the swift actions that officers sometimes must take to protect themselves and the public.