Judge rules enough evidence for trial in deadly shooting of Selma Police officer

Wednesday, January 21, 2026
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Seven people, including investigators, the coroner and witnesses, took the stand Wednesday morning in a Fresno County courtroom during a preliminary hearing related to the death of Selma Police Officer Gonzalo Carrasco Jr.

Testimony centered on the January 2023 shooting that killed Carrasco while he was on duty.

Witnesses described what they saw and heard in the moments surrounding the shooting, as well as the efforts made to save Carrasco's life.

RELATED: Our previous coverage of the killing of Selma Officer Gonzalo Carrasco Jr.

Detective Matthew Hughes of the Selma Police Department testified that he responded to a call for assistance and arrived to find Carrasco critically injured.



"Carrasco was positioned on his back, he had several injuries," Hughes said.

Hughes told the court that Carrasco was suffering from several gunshot wounds and was fighting for his life when he arrived.

He testified that he immediately began lifesaving measures and relayed how Carrasco described the person who shot him.

"Younger male, Hispanic, wearing dark colored hooded sweatshirt with a bulldog tattoo on the side of his face," Hughes said.

Nathaniel Dixon was later arrested in connection with the shooting and has pleaded not guilty. Action News was not allowed to record Dixon in court.



Two of the witnesses who testified were siblings who live in the Selma neighborhood where Carrasco was shot. Both said they recognized Dixon in court.

Jose Valdez testified that he saw Dixon walking in the neighborhood and noticed him going into his sister's front yard. Valdez described confronting Dixon shortly before the shooting.

"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," Valdez said.

Valdez's sister, Jana Garcia, also testified, describing the tense moments as she saw Dixon walking toward her.

"At that second, I realized I do not know so I yelled to the officer that I don't know him," Garcia said.



Garcia told the court she witnessed the shooting from her front door and immediately reacted.

"I saw it fire, backed up, locked my front door and hit the floor," she said.

Three additional people testified during the hearing. At the conclusion of testimony, the judge ruled that every witness was credible if the case moves forward to trial.

Dixon is scheduled to return to court April 2 for a held-to-answer arraignment.

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