Fresno Man Shot by Police After Alley Confrontation, Surrenders

Fresno police said officers approached Bradley Nicholson around 7 p.m. on December 8 after observing suspicious activity in an alley near West and Clinton avenues in central Fresno. According to the department, a brief struggle between officers and Nicholson escalated when Nicholson fired at officers. Officers returned fire and later observed Nicholson barricaded in a nearby carport.

Police released photos showing an officer’s ball cap struck by a bullet. The officers were not injured. Negotiators eventually secured Nicholson’s surrender. He was taken to Community Regional Medical Center in critical but stable condition and remains in custody. Both officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave while the department conducts a review.

The department said this was its sixth officer involved shooting in 2025. That frequency of serious force incidents has become a focal point for community concern about policing practices and oversight in Fresno County. Residents in the affected neighborhood reported alarm at the confrontation and are asking for clear information about how the incident unfolded and what steps will follow.

The immediate local impact includes heightened attention to safety in central Fresno and renewed calls for transparency from the police department. Administrative leave for involved officers and a departmental review are standard procedures, but the number of officer involved shootings this year is likely to prompt questions from elected officials and oversight bodies about training, de escalation protocols and use of force policies. Community groups and civic leaders often press for timely release of investigation findings to maintain public trust.

As the investigation continues, the case will be important for policy discussions at the city level about law enforcement practices and community relations. For residents, the incident highlights the role of local accountability mechanisms and the need for clear communication from public safety agencies about incidents that affect neighborhood safety.