A California jury on Monday found Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar, 32, guilty of first-degree murder in the ambush-style killing of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in Palmdale. The verdict follows a week-long trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Salazar was convicted of murder with special circumstances, including the premeditated killing of a peace officer, lying in wait, and firing from a vehicle. Jurors deliberated for two and a half hours before reaching the unanimous decision, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Deputy Clinkunbroomer, 30, was shot in the back of the head while sitting in his marked patrol car at a red light near the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station on September 16, 2023. He was engaged to be married at the time of his death. Salazar was arrested two days later after a standoff at his family’s home in Palmdale, during which authorities recovered a .22-caliber revolver believed to be the murder weapon.
Legal proceedings and next steps
Salazar’s sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, when a separate hearing will determine whether he was legally sane at the time of the shooting. If found sane, he faces life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. If deemed insane, he could be committed to a state hospital for treatment.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman called the verdict an important step toward justice, stating in a release that the killing was a "brutal and senseless murder" that left the deputy’s family, colleagues, and community to endure "an unimaginable loss."
Family and community response
Clinkunbroomer’s family, represented by attorney Brad Gage, expressed relief at the conviction, calling it a benefit to the grieving family. "It’s very helpful that the justice system prevail, that you have a conviction that is a benefit to the family," Gage told reporters. "That gives some solace. That gives some comfort."
Clinkunbroomer’s fiancée, Brittany Lindsey, had previously described him as "the best guy she ever met" in a statement released after the murder charge was filed. "I am so happy I was able to love him. It was not long enough," she said.
Defense acknowledges shooting but disputes intent
Salazar’s attorney, George Rosenstock, stated in a post-verdict release that it was not disputed his client fired the fatal shot. However, Rosenstock indicated the defense’s argument would focus on Salazar’s mental state and intent at the time of the killing, framing the case as one of circumstance rather than premeditation. The defense has not yet commented on the jury’s verdict.
Background of the case
Authorities allege Salazar followed Clinkunbroomer from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station to a nearby intersection before pulling alongside his patrol car and opening fire. Surveillance footage and witness testimony placed Salazar at the scene, and investigators linked the recovered firearm to the crime. The shooting occurred less than a block from the station where Clinkunbroomer was assigned.
Clinkunbroomer was a third-generation sheriff’s deputy and had been with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for several years. His death prompted an outpouring of support from law enforcement agencies statewide, with Sheriff Robert Luna attending the trial alongside other officials.
Ongoing legal and civil proceedings
In addition to the criminal case, Clinkunbroomer’s family has filed a $20 million wrongful death lawsuit against Los Angeles County, alleging negligence in the deputy’s security protocols. The lawsuit remains pending and is not directly tied to Salazar’s criminal conviction.