Selma — An individual was shot by a Selma police officer on September 6, 2025, in a suspicious incident that began with a “shots fired” report just outside city limits. The injured individual was taken to Community Regional Medical Center (CRMC) and is in stable condition.
Incident Overview
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office reported that shortly before 10:00 p.m., they responded to a call reporting shots fired near Highway 43 and E. Nebraska Avenue. Meanwhile, deputies located occupants of a vehicle believed to be linked to the incident at a shopping center near Floral Avenue and Highway 99. Deputies say one person fled from the vehicle, and an officer discharged their weapon and struck the individual, who would be listed in stable condition.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident
Legal Standards & Use-of-Force Considerations
Under California Penal Code § 835a, use of deadly force by law enforcement is permissible only when necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily harm. Key questions in assessing the incident include:
- Was the officer reasonably aware of a threat posed by the suspect?
- Were de-escalation tactics attempted?
- Did the circumstances justify the use of lethal force?
Seeking Accountability for Officer Involved Shootings
We at the Sehat Law Firm were concerned to learn of this incident in Selma.
In A Police Shooting Incident, Why Is a Bullet Trajectory Analysis Important?
In a typical officer-involved shooting, the shooting officer(s) will attempt to justify their use of deadly force by claiming the person shot was an “imminent threat” to the officers’ safety, stating further that he either squared off with them, made a furtive gesture, reached for his waistband, or even reached for a gun or a weapon. However, police officers are trained that deadly force can only be used when objectively faced with an immediate threat of deadly harm or serious bodily injuries. Bullet trajectory analysis can either confirm or discredit a shooting officer’s version of the shooting by placing the decedent’s position away from the shooter. For example, when a person is shot in the back, it contradicts any claims that the suspect was charging the officer with a knife in his hand. Well-trained civil rights attorneys can pick up on these contradictions and help you win a shooting case when only one side of the story has been told.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by police misconduct or an in-custody incident, contact The Sehat Law Firm at (949) 825-5200 for a free consultation, or complete the form at the bottom of this page to discuss your case with our legal team.
Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or medical advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary, and any referenced here may not apply to your situation. This article was created from secondary sources and may not be completely accurate. If you have any concerns, please contact us, and we’ll update or remove the post as needed.
