In a tragic and shocking incident that has left a community in mourning, a 29-year-old man was arrested on Monday morning in connection with the ambush-style shooting of Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Ryan “Clink” Clinkunbroomer. Deputy Clinkunbroomer, an eight-year veteran of the sheriff’s department, was fatally shot while sitting in his patrol vehicle in the Antelope Valley over the weekend. As the investigation unfolds, the suspect’s family has shed light on his struggles with mental health.
The suspect, identified as Kevin Salazar, is accused of ambushing and killing Deputy Clinkunbroomer at around 6 p.m. on Saturday. The deputy was stationed at a red light near the intersection of Sierra Highway and Avenue Q in Palmdale when the tragic incident occurred.
Jessica Salazar, the sister of the suspect, has spoken out about her brother’s mental health challenges, emphasizing that this revelation does not serve as an excuse for his actions but as a call for understanding and professional help. She revealed that Kevin had been grappling with mental health issues and had ceased taking his prescribed medications, contributing to his struggles.
While the family acknowledges Kevin’s schizophrenia, paranoia, and auditory hallucinations, they firmly express that this does not justify the violence that transpired. Instead, they empathize with other families who may be dealing with similar situations and the immense difficulty of assisting loved ones in crisis.
The tip leading to Kevin Salazar’s arrest came from an individual involved in a recent road rage incident with him, who was able to identify him to authorities. The suspect, now in custody, will face a judge for the first time, charged with murder.
During the apprehension, the sheriff’s SWAT team employed tear gas to secure his surrender. In a subsequent search of the Palmdale residence where Kevin lived with his family, detectives discovered weapons and a Toyota Corolla matching the description of the vehicle seen on surveillance video approaching Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s patrol car before the fatal shooting.
While authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the crime, they confirm that they had responded to calls at the Salazar residence on multiple occasions over the years.
Sheriff Robert Luna has acknowledged the suspect’s mental health condition but underscored the profound tragedy of losing a deputy or a loved one. During an emotional news conference, he expressed his condolences to Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s family and colleagues.
Deputy Clinkunbroomer had recently proposed to his fiancée, just four days before his untimely death. Described as the love of his life, he took immense pride in working alongside his fellow deputies and was dedicated to improving the community he served.
Community members have gathered to pay their respects at the sheriff’s station, where Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s photo is displayed. As the community grapples with this loss, there is no official word on funeral arrangements for the fallen deputy, nor is there information on how the $250,000 reward money for information leading to the arrest will be allocated.