Chalmette man wanted on attempted murder charge after stabbing a man to the abdomen and fleeing

A man who had been living in Chalmette is wanted on a charge of attempted second-degree murder after stabbing a man to the abdomen the night of June 26 and then fleeing, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Elio Alexander Garcia, 42, whose last address was at 800 West Genie Street in Chalmette, is wanted on a warrant issued by a judge, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

The victim of the attack was Gustavo Baltodano, 43, who lived in an apartment in the same complex where Garcia lived.

The stabbing happened in the parking lot of their apartment complex when the men argued and Garcia went upstairs to his apartment and returned with a knife and stabbed the victim to the left side of the abdomen, Sheriff Pohlmann said.

Baltodano drove himself to St. Bernard Parish Hospital after he was stabbed. He has been transferred to University Hospital in New Orleans, the sheriff said.

Sheriff’s deputies looked for Garcia afterward but he had left his apartment and hasn’t been located.

Anyone with information on Garcia’s whereabouts should call the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office at (504) 271-2501 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.