Verdict reached in killing of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer

A downtown Los Angeles jury has found Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, who was shot in an ambush-style attack in Palmdale in September 2023. The verdict was returned Monday after roughly two and a half hours of deliberation, according to multiple reports.

Salazar, 32, was found guilty of murdering Clinkunbroomer, who was shot in the back of the head while stopped at a red light in his marked patrol car, about a block from the Palmdale sheriff's station. The jury also found true special circumstance allegations of murder of a peace officer, lying in wait and firing from a vehicle, as well as an allegation that he personally used and discharged a .22-caliber revolver.

Trial and testimony

Salazar had entered a dual plea of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. During opening statements in the trial, Deputy District Attorney David Ayvazian told the jury that Clinkunbroomer "died in the line of duty and the only reason he died was because he was a deputy sheriff." Defense attorney George Rosenstock wrote in court papers that Salazar was incapable of knowing or understanding the nature of his act or distinguishing right from wrong due to his mental state.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Salazar had followed Clinkunbroomer from the station, then opened fire with a revolver. In closing arguments, Deputy DA Michael Blake said Salazar made a "clear and deliberate decision to kill" in a "surprise attack," and noted that paper targets recovered indicated Salazar had "obviously practiced" shooting, particularly at the head. Blake also said Salazar was initially following a sergeant but turned his attention to Clinkunbroomer, making a U-turn to follow him. Rosenstock countered that Salazar's thoughts were "somewhat disorganized" and that his detention was not premeditated.

According to the prosecution, Salazar had told embarrassed operatives while in custody that he wanted to kill a police officer for years and described following officers and playing music to prepare. A detective testified that Salazar acknowledged his involvement and said he felt bad and "died for the officer." Salazar told investigators the shooting "started a long time ago before COVID" and that he "began to hear voices in his head."

Death of the deputy

Clinkunbroomer, a 30-year-old fifth-generation deputy, had become engaged four days before the shooting. His fiancée, Brittany Lindsey, described him in a previous action as the best guy she ever met. "I was so happy I was able to have him. It was not long enough."

On the evening of Sept. 16, 2023, Clinkunbroomer had just left the Palmdale station and was waiting for a traffic light when another vehicle pulled up alongside him but a man shot him in the head. He was rushed to Antelope Valley Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Salazar was identified through a public tip after a motorist took a photo of the license plate of a vehicle that had aggressively confronted him shortly before the shooting, and authorities used a search warrant to recover a .22-caliber revolver from Salazar's home. Salazar was arrested two days later at his family's home after a standoff and has remained in custody since.

Clinkunbroomer came from a law enforcement family — his grandfather, father, and brother were also served in the department. He was a field training officer at the time of his death, as Sheriff Robert Luna stated. The deputy's family filed a wrongful death suit against the county, alleging forced overtime and understaffing, but the county was dismissed from the claim based in law; the family later decided not to pursue a civil case against Salazar.

The Castaic Sports Complex was renamed in the memory of Deputy Clinkunbroomer, at an event in January.

Aftermath and sanity phase

The trial now enters a sanity phase Wednesday, with the jury to decide whether Salazar was sane at the time of the killing. If he is found sane, he faces life in prison; if found insane, he would be confined to a state hospital rather than prison.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman said after the verdict that the guilty verdict "is a step toward justice and accountability." Sheriff Luna stated that Clinkunbroomer "will never be forgotten." Supervisor Kathryn Berry said the conviction affirms those who target law enforcement will be held.

According to the prosecution's firing statement, Salazar had confessed to the murder to Homicide Bureau detectives. Defense attorneys anticipate to call three mental health professionals and family members during the sanity phase to discuss Salazar's psychiatric history.

Salazar remains in custody, pending the outcome of the sanity phase.