News release
A Los Angeles County jury on Wednesday found that Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar, 32, was legally sane when he killed Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in September 2023, rejecting Salazar’s not guilty by reason of insanity defense, the L.A. County District attorney’s office announced in a news release.
Clinkunbroomer, a Santa Clarita Valley resident, was a fourth-generation deputy who grew up in the SCV.
On Aug. 24, Salazar, of Palmdale, was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder. Special circumstance allegations of murder of a peace officer, lying in wait and firing from a vehicle were also found true.
“Today, a jury has made clear that the defendant must be held accountable for the violence that took Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer’s life,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in the release. “I thank the jury and Deputy District Attorneys Michael Blake and David Ayvazian for delivering justice and ensuring that the defendant answers for the devastating outcome of his actions. We hope that this verdict brings a sense that Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s life is remembered, valued and honored through the pursuit of justice.”
Salazar is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 1 in Department 101 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles. He faces life in state prison without the possibility of parole.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain first and foremost with the Clinkunbroomer family, his friends and loved ones, and his partners at Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, all of whom have endured unimaginable pain throughout this process. Today’s ruling brings an important measure of accountability and ensures the individual responsible is held fully accountable for their actions,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna said in the release. “I want to thank our investigators and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for their unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in pursuing justice for Deputy Clinkunbroomer, his family, and all those impacted by his tragic loss.”
On Sept. 16, 2023, Salazar followed Clinkunbroomer, who was on duty, as the deputy left the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Palmdale Station in a black and white patrol car. Less than a block away, in front of Palmdale Station, Salazar ambushed and fatally shot Clinkunbroomer from his car, then fled from the scene. Salazar was arrested two days later, after an intensive search to find him, following a standoff at his Palmdale home.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Michael Blake and David Ayvazian of the Crimes Against Peace Officers Division and investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
