The Man Suspected in Fatal Ambush Shooting of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy
The man believed to be responsible for the fatal ambush shooting of a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy is set to appear in court in Lancaster on Wednesday. The decision on charges against Kevin Cataneo Salazar, 29, is pending from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Salazar was arrested on Monday morning at his family’s home in Palmdale after an intense standoff with law enforcement. This followed a manhunt initiated on Saturday night after the killing of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer near the Palmdale station. According to unnamed law enforcement sources, Salazar has reportedly confessed to the crime.
Contrary to Sheriff Robert Luna’s characterization of Salazar as a “coward,” the suspect’s family insists that he is mentally ill and not in a sound state of mind. Salazar’s sister, Jessica, told reporters that her brother struggled with schizophrenia and experienced paranoia as well as auditory hallucinations. The family claims to have attempted to seek help for Salazar but were unsuccessful.
Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, a 30-year-old third-generation officer who had recently become engaged, was shot while sitting in his patrol car at a traffic light near the Palmdale station on Saturday evening. A dark-colored sedan pulled up behind the deputy’s vehicle, paused, and then drove away. A good Samaritan provided immediate assistance, and Deputy Clinkunbroomer was rushed to Antelope Valley Medical Center. Sadly, he was pronounced dead later that night.
Early Monday morning, law enforcement personnel descended on Salazar’s family home, resulting in a standoff that ended only when Special Enforcement Bureau officers used “chemical agents” to apprehend Salazar. Numerous firearms were recovered from the scene, and a dark-colored sedan believed to be connected to the crime was seized. Sheriff Luna announced Salazar’s arrest at a news conference on Monday.
The motive behind the killing remains unclear, but investigators are working diligently to uncover the truth. Luna stressed the importance of community members coming forward with any relevant information to aid in the successful prosecution of Salazar.
The deputy’s family released a statement expressing their grief and describing Deputy Clinkunbroomer as a dedicated and hardworking officer who sacrificed to better the community he served. They requested privacy during this difficult time.
Salazar is the latest Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy to be killed in the line of duty. The most recent incidents include Sgt. Steve Owen’s death in 2016 during a break-in investigation and Deputy Alejandro Martinez’s death in 2022 after being struck by a wrong-way driver. Deputy Steve Belanger also lost his life in 2018 as a result of injuries sustained during an ambush in 1994.
If you have any information related to this shooting, please contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau or Crime Stoppers.
Sources: Los Angeles Times
Image Source: Unsplash
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