Authorities on Friday characterized the slaying of a Selma police officer as something that happened before the officer could react and said he was “essentially executed.”

Officer Gonzalo Carrasco Jr was killed on Tuesday when approaching a man, according to Fresno County Sheriff John Zanoni. Karaska, a 23-year-old native of Ridley, had been an officer since May 2021 and gave birth to a child on the way.

Carrasco was on routine patrol in a police car around 11:52 a.m. Tuesday in a residential area of ​​Selma west of Highway 99, Zanoni said.

When Karaska approached the man, which the police said Nathaniel Dixon, 24, a felon on probation — the officer and the man spoke briefly, Zanoni said.

Carrasco turned the car around and as he passed the man again, the homeowner told the officer that Dixon did not own the property.

“(Dixon) tried to walk into that yard like he lived in that house,” Zanoni said. “As soon as Carrasco got out of his vehicle, I think that’s when Dixon realized ‘he got me.'”

The officer got out of his cruiser and approached Dixon before the man shot the officer multiple times with an “assault rifle-style” .223-caliber ghost gun, an illegally obtained gun that is purchased in parts before being assembled, Zanoni said.

“We believe we have put together a very good case against the suspect, Nathaniel Dixon, for the senseless shooting and murder,” he said.

Dixon appeared in court on Friday as he faces charges including first degree murder, but did not enter a guilty plea until the arraignment was continued to a future date.

Carrasco did not fire his weapon, and investigators did not say Friday whether he was able to draw his weapon before he was shot. The officer was wearing protective gear, Zanoni said.

Dixon was a member of a Fresno-based gang and had a tattoo of the Fresno State Bulldog logo on his face, but Zanoni did not name the gang.

“This man was a convicted felon. He had no right to have that gun; he should never have had that weapon,” he said.

Selma Police Chief Rudy Alcaraz said the shooting happened so quickly there was no way to prevent the killing at this point.

“We all agree that Officer Carrasco could not have done anything. He was actually shot,” he said.

The political spat between Gavin Newsom and Lisa Smithcamp

Murder of an officer a verbal duel broke out between California Governor Gavin Newsom and Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smithcamp over Dixon’s parole status under Assembly Bill 109, commonly referred to as AB 109 or prison reform.

Smithcamp said AB 109, which was supported by Newsom and Democrats in the Legislature, would have allowed Dixon to be released before he was sentenced. Newsom said Smithcamp did not use its prosecutorial powers charge Dixon with more of his previous crimes.

Carrasco graduated from Ridley High School in 2016, and authorities said Friday that his dream was to become a police officer. Parents are collective farmers.

Selma community replied with sadness on the occasion of Karasko’s death, holding many candles and prayer vigils.