A suspect accused of fatally shooting a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy in an ambush while he was in his patrol vehicle has been apprehended. The arrest took place early Monday morning after a lengthy standoff at the suspect’s residence in Palmdale, according to Sheriff Robert Luna.
The suspect, Kevin Cataneo Salazar, 29, was taken into custody in the Palmdale neighborhood where he lived with his family. Sheriff Luna made the announcement outside the sheriff station in the city.
Deputies surrounded the suspect’s home early Monday, urging anyone inside to come out. While other family members complied, Salazar refused to exit the residence.
During the standoff, Salazar barricaded himself in the home for several hours as the Sheriff’s SWAT-style team attempted to persuade him to surrender. A negotiator also communicated with Salazar, but tear gas was ultimately used to compel his surrender.
Inside the suspect’s home, deputies discovered “numerous firearms,” according to Sheriff Luna.
Salazar has been accused of being the driver who pulled up alongside Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, 30, and fired a shot at his head around 6 p.m. on Saturday, while the deputy briefly stopped his patrol vehicle near the Palmdale Sheriff Station. After the shooting, Salazar quickly fled the scene.
According to Luna, Salazar is the sole suspect in the case. The Sheriff revealed that someone came forward to identify Salazar after Luna’s media appearance on Sunday. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, although Luna strongly suggested that Deputy Clinkunbroomer was targeted due to his law enforcement role.
“He was in a marked black and white, right in front of this station,” Luna said.
Clinkunbroomer had been employed by the Sheriff’s Department for eight years and had served at the Palmdale station since July 2018.
Following the shooting, a memorial has been erected at the location where the incident occurred, attracting individuals who wish to leave flowers and pay tribute to the fallen deputy. To honor Deputy Clinkunbroomer, a candlelight vigil was held at 7 p.m. on Sunday outside the Palmdale Sheriff’s station. Additionally, Governor Gavin Newsom ordered that flags at the state Capitol be flown at half-staff.
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