LA County Deputy Ambush: Suspect Arrested, But Motive Still Unclear

By Rick Martin First Posted: Sep 18, 2023 08:37 PM EDT

Kevin Cataneo Salazar, 29, who is accused of shooting and killing a Los Angeles County deputy, has been arrested, according to Sheriff Robert Luna.

Salazar reportedly killed Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, a 30-year-old field training officer, as he was sitting inside his vehicle, which was just outside the Palmdale Sheriff's Station on Saturday.

Officers had a search warrant for the suspect's home on Barrinson Street and surrounded it before calling the occupants out. However, Salazar barricaded himself in and refused to be captured. This was when authorities deployed chemical agents to flush the murder suspect out. He ultimately surrendered himself to deputies, noted Sheriff Luna.

"Investigators recovered numerous firearms and the vehicle of interest that was depicted in the flyer that we put out yesterday," said the LA County Sheriff during a press conference.

He added that detectives are still working on the case and urged anyone with additional video from the area at the time of the shooting to contact the proper authorities at 323-890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

According to ABC-7 Los Angeles, Salazar's motive for killing Deputy Clinkunbroomer is still unclear, as investigators are yet to determine if the ambush was personal, related to his job, or a random incident as the deputy was inside a marked patrol car.

Clinkunbroomer was found by a good Samaritan as he was lying unconscious inside the patrol car. He was immediately rushed to the Antelope Valley Medical Center in Lancaster. However, he later died of his injuries.

LA Deputy Allegedly Ambushed and Killed By Kevin Cataneo Salazar Was Recently Engaged

Sheriff Robert Luna explained that his deputy was murdered and ambushed by what he calls a "coward," lamenting that Clinkunbroomer died "while he's sitting at a red light, waiting to serve our community." He added, "Our deputy left this station in uniform to serve. And he was shot and killed. Why? We don't know yet. But we intend to find out."

Sheriff Luna then read a statement from the family of his recently deceased deputy, saying, "Our son Ryan was a dedicated, hardworking deputy sheriff who enjoyed working here at the Palmdale station."

The sheriff read on, adding, "Ryan was recently engaged to 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."

According to CNN, there have already been 83 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement in 2023, as 101 police officers have been shot this year, 15 of which have been fatal.

Police Found 'Vehicle of Interest' Related To LA County Deputy Ambush

Kevin Cataneo Salazar was named the prime suspect in the LA County deputy's ambush and killing thanks to reports and tips from the public.

Police set a $250,000 bounty on any information leading to the suspect's arrest. According to CoopWB, his dramatic capture was also caught on video.

The footage of the siege and his subsequent arrest also revealed a "vehicle of interest" as the car, a dark-gray 2006-12 Toyota Corolla, was previously seen close to the deputy's patrol car at the time of the ambush.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin