MEXICAN Suspect arrested in murder of WHITE LA sheriff's deputy who was ambushed at red light, shot in the head

[Arheel's Uncle]

Suspect in LA deputy killing confesses: Sources

A suspect has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy, authorities announced.

abcnews.go.com

Suspect arrested in murder of LA sheriff's deputy who was ambushed at red light​

Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer was 30 years old.
ByKevin Shalvey, Alex Stone, Emily Shapiro, and Josh Margolin
September 18, 2023, 3:10 PM

11:19
This undated photo provided by Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department shows its Deputy Ryan...
AP

A suspect has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy who was ambushed at a red light, authorities said.

The suspect, 29-year-old Kevin Salazar of Palmdale, barricaded himself inside a house for several hours before his arrest Monday morning, Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference.

Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer was fatally shot around 6 p.m. Saturday.


This undated photo provided by Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department shows its Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer.
AP
Clinkunbroomer, who was on duty, was in uniform and stopped at a red light outside the Palmdale Sheriff's Station when a gray Toyota Corolla pulled up alongside his patrol car, authorities said.

After the Corolla drove away, Clinkunbroomer's cruiser remained at the light, where a "good Samaritan discovered him unconscious in his vehicle and promptly alerted Palmdale Station personnel," authorities said.

Sherriff's deputies block off a street where a deputy was shot while in his patrol car in Palmdale, Calif. on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
Richard Vogel/AP
Clinkunbroomer, 30, was hospitalized and later died of his injuries, police said.

Clinkunbroomer was "ambushed by a coward," the sheriff said Monday, adding that a motive is unknown.

"Ryan's family will never see him again," the sheriff said, overcome with emotion.

Police cars block off a street where a sheriff's deputy was shot while in his patrol car in Palmdale, Calif. on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023.
Richard Vogel/AP

MORE: Los Angeles sheriff's deputy dies after being shot in patrol vehicle, office says​

"Our son Ryan was a dedicated, hard-working deputy sheriff," Clinkunbroomer's family said in a statement read on Monday by the sheriff.

"Ryan was recently engaged to the love of his life," his family said, and he made "the ultimate sacrifice."


Investigators on Sunday had asked for information about the Toyota Corolla, which they described as a dark-colored sedan with a model year between 2006 and 2012. It was being sought as a "vehicle of interest," according to a special bulletin.

Authorities are searching for a Toyota Corolla in connection with the shooting of a LA sheriff's deputy.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Sharing details on the Corolla led investigators to the suspect and the car of interest, the sheriff said Monday.

Luna said Monday that authorities are confident they have the right suspect in custody, but the sheriff said he's "still asking people to come forward and give us any piece of information they believe that they have" as the case moves to the prosecution phase. No other suspects are believed to be involved, the sheriff said.

Sources told ABC News investigators are now actively looking for any accounts suspect Salazar had on social media and in gaming. No signs of extremism or radicalization have been found, but it’s believed he may have been active in the world of gaming.

Since the arrest only happened in the morning and moved very quickly overnight, the work digging into his background is underway Monday afternoon.


Salazar's mother, Marle Salazar, told ABC News that her son has a history of mental health issues and that she has no idea if he was looking to hurt law enforcement.

Asked by ABC News if the attack was random, the sheriff said it was not clear.

"I have no doubt that our homicide investigators will get to the bottom of why something that makes absolutely no sense occurred," he said.

Clinkunbroomer was an eight-year veteran of the sheriff's office who "served the Palmdale and Antelope Valley communities without absolute distinction," Luna wrote on social media.


"He was a third generation deputy. His father and grandfather served with us," the sheriff wrote. "He was cowardly shot while working tirelessly to serve our community."


"Our hearts go out to his family. We cannot fully understand their pain, but we will stand with them," the sheriff said.

ABC's Alex Stone reports:


ABC News' Will Carr, Connor Burton, Amanda M. Morris and Marilyn Heck contributed to this report.

 

[Arheel's Uncle]

"I have no doubt that our homicide investigators will get to the bottom of why something that makes absolutely no sense occurred," he said.

Salazar's mother, Marle Salazar, told ABC News that her son has a history of mental health issues and that she has no idea if he was looking to hurt law enforcement.

​

Arrest made in ambush killing of LASD Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in Palmdale

Authorities arrested 29-year-old Kevin Salazar in connection with the ambush-style shooting death of LASD Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in Palmdale.

www.foxla.com

​

Arrest made in ambush killing of LASD Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in Palmdale​

By FOX 11 Digital Team

Published September 18, 2023 6:19AM

Updated 5:53PM

Palmdale

FOX 11

Suspect arrested in LASD deputy's killing​

Kevin Salazar was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in Palmdale. Officials said they want Salazar prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, while his family said he was mentally ill.

LOS ANGELES - An arrest has been made in connection with the ambush killing of Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer near the department's Palmdale station over the weekend.

The suspect, 29-year-old Kevin Cataneo Salazar, was arrested Monday morning after a standoff with authorities at the home he shared with his family in Palmdale, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said during a press conference Monday.


"We believe we have the murderer of our deputy in custody," Luna said, adding that the department is "extremely confident" they arrested the sole suspect responsible. Luna still urged the public to come forward with any information as the investigation remains active and ongoing

FULL: Arrest announced in murder of LASD deputy​

The suspect in the killing of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer has been identified as 29-year-old Kevin Salazar of Palmdale.



.

"We have to get this individual prosecuted now to the full extent of the law… and we need the public's continued help," he said.

RELATED COVERAGE:

• LASD deputy murdered: Video appears to show moments before shooting
• LASD deputy shot and killed in ambush attack in Palmdale; manhunt continues for suspect

Authorities arrested 29-year-old Kevin Salazar in connection with the ambush-style shooting death of LASD Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in Palmdale.

Video from the scene showed deputies appearing to fire a gas canister through a window, and a short time later, Salazar emerged from the home, with his arms stretched out by his sides. Following orders from deputies, he took off his shirt and slowly backed away from the home and was taken into custody. Additionally, the vehicle of interest as well as numerous firearms were also recovered at the home.

Luna said Salazar was spotted by a citizen and that ultimately led to his arrest 36 hours after Clinkunbroomer's death.

LASD deputy murdered: Person of interest detained​

Authorities said the person of interest taken into custody is a man in his 20s.

Authorities said Clinkunbroomer was stopped in a patrol car at a red light when he was shot in the head and found in front of the sheriff's station located at Sierra Highway and East Avenue Q Saturday night. He was discovered by a good Samaritan, who called 911.

Clinkunbroomer was taken to Antelope Valley Medical Center, where he later died.

Luna called Clinkunbroomer's death a targeted ambush killing, saying the deputy was "murdered, ambushed by a coward."

But the motive, and whether the deputy or the department in general was the target, remains under investigation.

Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer / LASD

"He was just driving down the street," Luna explained. "And for no apparent reason -- and we're still looking into the specific reasons -- somebody decided to shoot and murder him, I'm assuming at this point, because he was in uniform. That, to me, is sickening. That's not who this community is."

"I get daily notifications of tragic incidents of people who volunteer to serve their community, who are attacked. Is it something that is always on our mind? Absolutely. We train for it. We try to prepare for it. But honestly, we're human and nothing prepares us specifically for what just happened the last several days," Luna said.

Clinkunbroomer was an eight-year veteran of the department and had been with the Palmdale station since July 2018. He served as a field training officer, which Luna said is a role reserved for only "the best of the best."

"His father and grandfather served with us. Service was running through his veins. He embodied the values of bravery/selflessness & committed to justice. Our deputy was a devoted family member and a cherished community member. He was cowardly shot while working tirelessly to serve our community this evening. Our hearts go out to his family. We cannot fully understand their pain, but we will stand with them in solidarity and support them during this difficult time. They deserve unwavering compassion, and we will do everything in our power to provide them with assistance and care," Luna said in a statement.

In a statement read by Luna, Clinkunbroomer's family called him a "dedicated, hardworking deputy sheriff who enjoyed working at the Palmdale station."

Vigil held for killed Palmdale deputy​

Crowds gathered at the Palmdale Sheriff's Station to honor the life of deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, who was shot and killed in the line of duty.

"He was proud to work alongside his partners that he considered brothers and sisters, and he sacrificed daily. Ryan made the ultimate sacrifice in doing so. Ryan was recently engaged ot the love of his life. As our firstborn son, Ryan will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and the sheriff's department as a whole. Please keep Ryan's family, friends, and colleagues in your prayers and respect everyone's privacy during our time of mourning."

The ALADS has set up a donation page for those wishing to help deputy Clinkunbroomer's family in the aftermath of his death. That fundraiser can be found by clicking here.