Palmdale, Calif. – A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge handed down a life‑without‑parole sentence Thursday to Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar, 32, for the murder of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer. The deputy was shot to death on September 16, 2023 while waiting at a traffic light near the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.
Background and conviction
Deputy Clinkunbroomer, a fourth‑generation law‑enforcement officer, had been engaged to be married just four days before the fatal attack. The killing, described by jurors as an ambush, was prosecuted as first‑degree murder with special circumstances, including murder of a peace officer, lying in wait, and firing from a vehicle. The jury also found Salazar personally used a .22‑caliber revolver.
On August 24, a jury returned guilty verdicts on all counts. Special‑circumstance findings increase the potential penalties, and the judge applied the maximum sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Legal arguments and mental‑health considerations
Salazar’s defense team argued that he was legally insane at the time of the shooting, seeking a new trial on that basis. Defense attorney George Rosenstock asked Judge Ronald S. Coen to weigh the evidence independently, noting that the defendant’s thoughts appeared “somewhat disorganized” and that the decision to kill was made within seconds.
Prosecutors Michael Blake and David Ayvazian countered that while Salazar suffered from serious mental illness, he did not meet the legal standard for insanity when he fired the fatal shot. The panel also determined Salazar was sane at the time of the crime, meaning he would not be committed to a state mental hospital.
Details of the crime
According to testimony, Salazar had expressed a long‑standing desire to kill a law‑enforcement officer. In a recorded jail conversation, he told undercover operatives he had been following officers, parking nearby, and playing music to prepare himself for the attack. Detectives also reported that Salazar told investigators he “started a long time ago before COVID” and that he “began to hear voices in his head.”
A deputy medical examiner confirmed that Deputy Clinkunbroomer died from a single gunshot wound to the back of his head. Surveillance footage helped investigators identify a Toyota Corolla believed to be the vehicle used in the ambush, and a civilian who photographed the car’s license plate later identified Salazar in court.
Community response and honors
The loss of Deputy Clinkunbroomer has resonated deeply within the Palmdale and broader Los Angeles County communities. In January, the Castaic Sports Complex was renamed the Ryan M. Clinkunbroomer Castaic Sports Complex, and a stretch of road will also bear his name, honoring his service and sacrifice.
Local officials, law‑enforcement leaders, and families of fallen officers praised the swift justice achieved in this case, emphasizing the importance of protecting those who protect our neighborhoods. The sentencing sends a clear message that violent attacks on peace officers will be met with the full force of the law.
Looking forward
Salazar will be transferred to a state prison to begin serving his life sentence. The case underscores the ongoing need for strong community‑law‑enforcement partnerships and reinforces the commitment of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to uphold safety and justice for all residents.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
