A tragic shooting took place on Tuesday that resulted in the death of Selma police officer Gonzalo Carrasco Jr., 24-years-old.
Carrasco had been part of the department for a span of two years. The suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Nathaniel Dixon.
Carrasco Jr. was a graduate of Reedley High School, where he had played both football and basketball.
The shooting happened close to 11:45 am in the area of Mitchell and Rose. According to the reports, Carrasco Jr. was on patrol when he was flagged down by a resident about a suspicious individual in the vicinity.
As Carrasco Jr. stepped out of his patrol vehicle, investigators believe Dixon shot him multiple times. He was taken to the Community Regional Medical Center, but unfortunately could not be saved.
Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp revealed that Carrasco Jr. was an expectant father and the son of farmworkers who chose to attend the police academy.
The motive of the shooting is still unknown, but Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni believes it could be gang-related. Dixon has a criminal record that includes firearm possession and robbery charges. He was booked in the Fresno County Jail, facing charges of murder, being a felon in possession of a gun and ammunition and probation violation.
His bail is set at $1.2 million and he is set to be in court on Friday.
This was the first line of duty death for the Selma Police Department. To support the family of the fallen officer, a memorial fund has been set up.