FRESNO, CA – A Fresno County judge found that sufficient evidence exists for a trial to move forward regarding the man accused of fatally shooting a Selma Police officer back in 2023, with direct witnesses and investigators presenting compelling testimony during the preliminary hearing earlier in January.
On January 21st, witnesses and relevant investigative officials convened at a Fresno County courtroom to deliver testimony during a preliminary hearing where 26-year-old Nathaniel Dixon stands accused of fatally shooting Selma Police Officer Gonzalo Carrasco Jr. nearly three years earlier.
The fatal shooting occurred on January 31st, 2023, while Officer Carrasco was patrolling the 2600 block of Pine Street in Selma after he was reportedly flagged down by an individual who was concerned about a suspicious person lurking around their property. When Officer Carrasco exited his vehicle in response to the matter, prosecutors say the suspicious person, Dixon, immediately opened fire on the officer.
First responders arrived at the scene to render lifesaving aid to Officer Carrasco, who sadly passed away after being brought in for emergency surgery at an area hospital. Within 30 minutes of the shooting, law enforcement located and arrested Dixon after a deputy patrolling near Fig and Sequoia recognized the prominent face tattoo detailed in the suspect description.
Jana Garcia was present in the courtroom during Dixon’s preliminary hearing, identifying herself as the person who called for the fallen officer’s help when her and her brother, Jose Valdez, noticed Dixon lurking on her property and making his way toward her.
“At that second, I realized I do not know [who this is],” Garcia said before the court, adding, “so I yelled to the officer that I don't know him.” Garcia said that’s when Dixon immediately turned around and fired on the officer, further noting, “I saw it fire, backed up, locked my front door and hit the floor.”
Valdez also provided testimony before the court, saying, “I got out of my house, and I went to the yard, to my sisters and I told him, I don't know who you are, you do not live here and when he noticed I said that, he turned around and shot the officer.”
Detective Matthew Hughes from the Selma Police Department also shared testimony before the court, sharing how he was among the first responders to arrive following the shooting. While Detective Hughes witnessed his fellow officer clinging to life, Officer Carrasco was miraculously able to give a description of the assailant while Detective Hughes was performing lifesaving measures.
“Younger male, Hispanic, wearing dark colored hooded sweatshirt with a bulldog tattoo on the side of his face,” Detective Hughes recounted before the courtroom as the description his fellow officer detailed before his passing.
Following the testimony of four additional individuals, the judge found all the witnesses to be credible and declared there’s sufficient evidence for the trial to move forward. Dixon is slated to appear in court on April 2nd for a held-to-answer arraignment.
On January 21st, witnesses and relevant investigative officials convened at a Fresno County courtroom to deliver testimony during a preliminary hearing where 26-year-old Nathaniel Dixon stands accused of fatally shooting Selma Police Officer Gonzalo Carrasco Jr. nearly three years earlier.
The fatal shooting occurred on January 31st, 2023, while Officer Carrasco was patrolling the 2600 block of Pine Street in Selma after he was reportedly flagged down by an individual who was concerned about a suspicious person lurking around their property. When Officer Carrasco exited his vehicle in response to the matter, prosecutors say the suspicious person, Dixon, immediately opened fire on the officer.
First responders arrived at the scene to render lifesaving aid to Officer Carrasco, who sadly passed away after being brought in for emergency surgery at an area hospital. Within 30 minutes of the shooting, law enforcement located and arrested Dixon after a deputy patrolling near Fig and Sequoia recognized the prominent face tattoo detailed in the suspect description.
Jana Garcia was present in the courtroom during Dixon’s preliminary hearing, identifying herself as the person who called for the fallen officer’s help when her and her brother, Jose Valdez, noticed Dixon lurking on her property and making his way toward her.
“At that second, I realized I do not know [who this is],” Garcia said before the court, adding, “so I yelled to the officer that I don't know him.” Garcia said that’s when Dixon immediately turned around and fired on the officer, further noting, “I saw it fire, backed up, locked my front door and hit the floor.”
Valdez also provided testimony before the court, saying, “I got out of my house, and I went to the yard, to my sisters and I told him, I don't know who you are, you do not live here and when he noticed I said that, he turned around and shot the officer.”
Detective Matthew Hughes from the Selma Police Department also shared testimony before the court, sharing how he was among the first responders to arrive following the shooting. While Detective Hughes witnessed his fellow officer clinging to life, Officer Carrasco was miraculously able to give a description of the assailant while Detective Hughes was performing lifesaving measures.
“Younger male, Hispanic, wearing dark colored hooded sweatshirt with a bulldog tattoo on the side of his face,” Detective Hughes recounted before the courtroom as the description his fellow officer detailed before his passing.
Following the testimony of four additional individuals, the judge found all the witnesses to be credible and declared there’s sufficient evidence for the trial to move forward. Dixon is slated to appear in court on April 2nd for a held-to-answer arraignment.
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