Sandy MaloneSelma, CA – A California police officer was fatally shot on Tuesday when he got out of his vehicle after a resident flagged him down for help.
Police said the incident occurred at about 11:45 a.m. on Jan 31 after a Selma police officer on patrol was stopped to help a person reporting a suspicious person in their yard in the area of Mitchell and Rose, KFSN reported.
Officials said the 23-year-old suspect opened fire on the Selma police officer the moment he stepped out of his patrol vehicle.
The officer was shot multiple times, KFSN reported.
The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended a short time later by officers and taken into custody.
Officials said the wounded hero was transported to Community Regional Medical Center where he later died, KFSN reported.
“I’m absolutely outraged. I am horrified right now,” Selma Police Chief Rudy Alcaraz told reporters at a press conference after the officer was murdered.
HEARTBREAKING: Selma Police Chief Rudy Alcaraz & Fresno Sheriff John Zanoni say the officer struck by gunfire has died. Law enforcement agencies are lining up the streets outside of CRMC. @ABC30 pic.twitter.com/KK9WJHVSbJ
— Elisa Navarro (@ElisaABC30) February 1, 2023
“It appears from the surface that this was all avoidable, and that’s the unfortunate part,” Chief Alcaraz said.
Police recovered a firearm in the area that was believed to be the weapon that was used to kill the Selma police officer, KFSN reported.
The police chief said the entire ambush happened so far that the officer never had an opportunity to fire his duty weapon.
Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni said investigators were working to determine the motive for the targeted shooting, and told reporters the officer’s murder could be gang-related.
Officials have not yet released the identity of the fallen hero, nor have authorities released the name of his alleged killer, KFSN reported.
Sheriff Zanoni said the officer had been a member of the police force for about two years.
We’re on scene in Selma near Mitchell and Rose where there is heavy police presence, including Selma PD and Highway Patrol. This is a developing story. We are working to find out what police are investigating. pic.twitter.com/g1phoDz1c0
— Kate Nemarich (@KateNemNews) January 31, 2023
He was the first Selma police officer to be killed in the line of duty.
BREAKING: The FCSO says a Selma Police officer was shot around 11:45AM. Officer has been taken to the hospital & their condition is unknown. They also say 1 person of interest has been detained. Happened around Pine & Mitchell in Selma. @CBS47 @KSEE24
📸: @FresnoSheriff pic.twitter.com/Kma5hzgcGJ
— Katherine Phillips (@KatPhillipsTV) January 31, 2023
🚨 OFFICER DOWN: Please pray for the friends and family of the Selma Police Officer who was gunned down. While patrolling, the Officer was flagged down by a resident about a suspicious person and as the officer got out of his patrol vehicle, the suspect shot him multiple times. pic.twitter.com/ChrMSq7UuX
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) February 1, 2023
This is a developing story and we will keep you updated. For all of our updates, follow us on Facebook and go to your news feed preferences under your settings, then select that you want to see more of The Police Tribune’s posts in your news feed. Otherwise, Facebook may not show you updates.
Holly Matkin
