News Releases

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar has been charged with the murder of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in the city of Palmdale.

“My heart is broken during this incredibly difficult time for the family of Deputy Clinkunbroomer and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.” District Attorney Gascón said. “This senseless act of violence is an affront to the values of justice and peace that we hold dear in our community. Our law enforcement partners worked tirelessly to investigate and find the alleged individual responsible for murdering Deputy Clinkunbroomer. I want to assure you that my office’s Crimes Against Peace Officer’s Division is committed to bringing to justice the person responsible for this heinous crime. In the face of this tragedy, let us come together as a community supporting one another and standing against acts of violence against those who work night and day to protect us. Together, we will find solace, strength, and ultimately, justice for our fallen deputy.”

“We are devastated by the brutal murder of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer and share in the grief with his family, partners, and community as we try to grapple with this tragedy,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. “This ambush attack was absolutely unacceptable and an attack on law enforcement as a whole. Deputy Clinkunbroomer was in uniform, stopped at a red light in his patrol vehicle like thousands of other law enforcement officers and deputies do every day when he tragically lost his life while serving his community. Deputy Clinkunbroomer embodied a legacy of service that was instilled in him through several generations. Our detectives and personnel worked relentlessly for thirty-six hours to locate and arrest the suspect responsible for Ryan’s murder and we support the charges that were filed today. We expect the maximum punishment available under the law for the murder of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer.” 

Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar (dob 07/06/94) is charged in case MA085864 with one count of murder.

It is further alleged that Salazar used a .22 Caliber Revolver, intentionally killed the victim by means of lying-in wait, and discharged a firearm from a motor vehicle in the commission of the above offense.

Salazar pled not guilty, including not guilty by reason of insanity, and denied special allegations, at an arraignment today at the Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse. A preliminary hearing setting is scheduled November 7 in Dept. A02.

On September 16, Salazar allegedly followed Clinkunbroomer just before 6 p.m. as he left the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Palmdale Station while on duty, to the intersection on Sierra Highway, less than one block away from the station.

Salazar allegedly ambushed and fatally shot Clinkunbroomer from the driver seat of his own vehicle then sped away. A good Samaritan stopped and found the deputy wounded inside of his SUV, then ran a short distance to the Palmdale Station to seek help. Responding deputies rushed Clinkunbroomer to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Law enforcement officials sought assistance from the public in their exhaustive efforts to find the individual responsible for murdering Clinkunbroomer. After an intensive manhunt and a four-hour standoff, Salazar was found and arrested around 5 a.m. on September 18 at his Palmdale residence.

Salazar is being held without bail, and if convicted as charged, will face a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. We thank all law enforcement agencies who extended their assistance and support to LASD during their investigation.