In a shocking incident, a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy was shot and killed in what officials are calling an ambush attack. ..... The 30-year-old officer was on duty, in uniform, and serving his community when he was mercilessly gunned down.

Sheriff Robert Luna addressed the media during a news conference on Sunday, describing the shooting as a "targeted attack" on law enforcement. He expressed his grief and anger over the tragic loss of Deputy Clinkunbroomer, stating, "Without warning, he was murdered while serving our community. ..... 

The authorities have offered a substantial reward of $250,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of the killer. This reward has been jointly provided by Los Angeles County, the city of Palmdale, and the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs. Sheriff Luna passionately urged the culprit to turn themselves in, asserting, "Whoever did this - I'd give in. ..... 

The tragic news of Deputy Clinkunbroomer's killing has sent shockwaves throughout the state of California. Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the incident, describing it as "horrific, unconscionable, and shocking." As a mark of respect, the governor ordered flags at the state capitol to be flown at half-mast in honor of the fallen deputy.

Clinkunbroomer, who had been in the force for eight years and was engaged to be married, was discovered by a passerby who immediately alerted the authorities. Despite their best efforts, Deputy Clinkunbroomer succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The loss of such a dedicated officer has deeply impacted the law enforcement community and the public alike.

Sheriff Luna assured that every possible resource would be utilized in the investigation, with assistance from local, state, and federal officials. He emphasized the urgency to find the perpetrator, stating, "We're going to catch this person." Luna also expressed his personal anguish over the loss, highlighting that Deputy Clinkunbroomer came from a family with a strong law enforcement background. "It hurts, it hurts bad," Luna shared. "He didn't deserve that. From everything I know about Ryan, people loved and adored him."

This tragic incident adds to the growing number of ambush-style attacks on police officers in the United States. According to the National Fraternal Order of Police, there have been 83 such attacks this year alone, resulting in 15 officers being fatally shot. The alarming rise in violence against law enforcement officers has raised concerns and prompted a call for increased support and protection for those who serve and protect our communities.

Los Angeles authorities have detained a person of interest in connection with the murder of a county sheriff's deputy who was ambushed and fatally shot at a traffic light on Saturday, the sheriff's office said on Monday.

A reward of $250,000 was offered on Sunday for any information regarding the shooting of Ryan Clinkunbroomer, 30, as he sat in his patrol car at a red light just outside a sheriff's station in the city of Palmdale, about 55 miles (90 km) northeast of Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County sheriff's office on Monday said a person of interest had been detained but provided no details.

The sheriff's office said it would hold its next news conference on the matter at 10:30 am PST on Monday.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna at a news conference on Sunday said Clinkunbroomer had been targeted because he was a law enforcement officer.

"Without warning, he was murdered while serving our community," Luna said.

A passerby found Clinkunbroomer at the wheel of his patrol cruiser gravely wounded about 6 p.m. on Saturday and called for help, police said. Clinkunbroomer, who served for eight years on the force, died at the hospital.

Clinkunbroomer, who had just gotten engaged to be married, was a third-generation member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, the sheriff said.

"Service was running through his veins," the sheriff said in a post on Instagram.

Local, state and federal officials had offered assistance in locating the shooter, Luna said.

 ..... 

Authorities in the United States city of Los Angeles have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a sheriff's deputy who was ambushed and fatally shot at a traffic stop leading to a reward of $250,000 being offered for information.

 ..... 

A 29-year-old man was arrested early on Monday after barricading himself inside a home in the city of Palmdale for several hours before surrendering with weapons, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna told a news conference.

Officials identified the arrested suspect as Kevin Cataneo Salazar of Palmdale.

Luna said authorities have not yet determined a motive for the killing of Deputy Clinkunbroomer and described the situation as “fluid”, saying there could be more arrests.

"I feel extremely confident that we have the right person in custody," Luna said.

"Our deputy was in uniform in a marked black-and-white police vehicle right in front of the station," Luna said. "Why did he do this? I have no idea. Was he targeted? I'm assuming he was but ??¦ our intent is to find out."

A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy has been shot and killed in what officials call an ambush while he was sitting in his patrol car outside a sheriff's station in the California city of Palmdale, in uniform and on duty.

Sheriff Robert Luna called the incident that occurred on Saturday night “murder” and a "targeted attack" on Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, 30, because he was a police officer, serving his community about 55 miles (90 km) northeast of Los Angeles.

 ..... 

During a late-night news conference, Luna asked the public to come forward with any video that may exist showing what happened.

 ..... He was murdered (Saturday night). ..... 

"We're going to catch this person," he added.

 ..... 

In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, Los Angeles county sheriff's deputy Ryan Clinkunbroome was fatally shot while sitting in his patrol car at a red light on Saturday. However, authorities have now detained a person of interest in connection with this devastating ambush killing. The Los Angeles County sheriff's office made the announcement on Monday, though they did not provide any additional information about the individual. A news conference is scheduled for later today, where officials are expected to reveal more details about the arrest.

The breakthrough in the investigation came after the department released a description of a vehicle believed to be involved in the shooting. Law enforcement received a tip which led them to the person of interest, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. This development provides a glimmer of hope for justice in this heinous crime that took the life of a dedicated officer.

The murder of Deputy Clinkunbroome has rocked the Los Angeles community, leading to an outpouring of support and a reward of $250,000 for any information related to the shooting. ..... 

Speaking at a news conference on Sunday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna expressed his outrage over the targeting of law enforcement officers. He stated that Clinkunbroome was intentionally singled out because of his profession, emphasizing that "without warning, he was murdered while serving our community." The sheriff described the incident as a cold-blooded ambush, leaving no doubt that the deputy was a victim of a deliberate attack.

The discovery of Clinkunbroome's gravely wounded body was made by a passerby who promptly called for help. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, the eight-year veteran of the force succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The loss of Deputy Clinkunbroome, who had recently become engaged, has been deeply felt within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office. He was a third-generation member of the department, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Sheriff Luna paid tribute to the fallen deputy, stating that "service was running through his veins," in a heartfelt post on Instagram.

The murder of Deputy Clinkunbroome highlights the ongoing dangers faced by law enforcement officers across the United States. ..... In response to this alarming trend, local, state, and federal officials have offered their support and assistance in locating the shooter responsible for this tragic incident.

As the investigation continues, the community remains hopeful that justice will be served. The apprehension of a person of interest provides a glimmer of hope, although the motive behind the ambush and details surrounding the suspect remain unknown. Los Angeles County residents anxiously await the upcoming news conference, where they hope to find answers and closure for the loss of a dedicated and courageous officer.

A "person of interest" in the fatal shooting of a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy was taken into custody, authorities said Monday.

Sheriff Robert Luna was scheduled to meet with reporters at 10:30 a.m. PDT (1:30 p.m. ET) to reveal more details of a possible break in the case of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer's slaying on Saturday.

A bystander called 911 after spotting the 30-year-old deputy unconscious in his car at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Southern California suburb of Palmdale, officials said.

Clinkunbroomer was rushed to the hospital but could not be revived.

Investigators said Sunday they were looking for a car - a dark-colored 2006 to 2012 Toyota Corolla - that was seen near Clinkunbroomer's vehicle just before the shooting.

Clinkunbroomer had just left the station when he was discovered near the intersection of Sierra Highway and Avenue Q, which is about 60 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, officials said.

Law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation said Sunday that a video clip that shows a car pulling alongside the patrol car before it speeds away is a focus in the investigation.

Clinkunbroomer was a well regarded deputy and had been working as a field training officer for the past 1 1/2 years, officials said.

The victim, a third-generation deputy, got engaged to his girlfriend four days before the fatal attack, Luna said.

A 29-year-old man was arrested early Monday morning in the ambush-style killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy over the weekend, the authorities announced hours after engaging in a standoff at a Southern California home.

The deputy, Ryan Clinkunbroomer, 30, who was on duty and in uniform, was shot on Saturday night when his vehicle was stopped at a red light, shortly after leaving a police station in Palmdale, a city north of Los Angeles. The killing was captured on surveillance video and led to a major manhunt over the weekend.

Acting on tips from community members, sheriff's deputies arrested a man they identified as Kevin Cataneo Salazar on suspicion of killing Deputy Clinkunbroomer, according to Robert Luna, the sheriff of Los Angeles County.

Sheriff Luna said at a news conference on Monday that after members of the suspect's family came out of a home in Palmdale, the suspect barricaded himself in for several hours. Officers tried to use hostage negotiators to no avail, and then deployed chemical agents to draw Mr. Cataneo Salazar outside.

"He never gave our deputy a chance, but yet our men and women gave this individual a chance to take him into custody peacefully," Sheriff Luna said at the news conference.

After the shooting, officials described a "vehicle of interest" as a dark gray Toyota Corolla made between 2006 and 2012, and they announced a $250,000 award for information leading to a suspect's arrest and prosecution. Sheriff Luna said on Monday that media reports, which circulated photos and a description of the vehicle, were helpful in eliciting the tips that led to the arrest.

The vehicle in question, as well as several firearms, were taken by investigators at the house, Sheriff Luna said.

Deputy Clinkunbroomer, who was transferred to the Palmdale station in July 2018, had worked in the sheriff's department for about eight years, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, officials said. For the past year and a half, he also trained and supervised other deputies. "Not just anybody becomes a field training officer, " Sheriff Luna said over the weekend. "It's usually the best of the best."

"Our deputy was a devoted family member and a cherished community member," Sheriff Luna said in a statement Sunday.

Deputy Clinkunbroomer had gotten engaged only four days earlier, he added.

According to statistics released by the F.B.I. concerning officers killed in the line of duty, five officers have died in 2023 through August in situations designated as "ambushes." Twelve officers were killed on the job in such situations in all of last year; eight were killed in 2021 and nine in 2020.

Palmdale has a recent history of tension between law enforcement officers and the community. In 2015, the U.S. Justice Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced a settlement involving a set of police reforms in Palmdale and the nearby city of Lancaster after an investigation found patterns of excessive use of force, biased policing practices and unlawful searches and seizures.

Monitors overseeing the settlement in Palmdale and Lancaster have documented a lack of progress in the past two years toward the goals set in the settlement, including a resistance to change and denial of responsibility. Their report this year cited several areas in need of improvement, including daily interactions with the public, but it also recognized "new signs of commitment to reforms" and better communication and transparency.

Clinkunbroomer was shot over the weekend in his patrol vehicle.

Sources told Fox News that a suspect - identified by Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna as 29-year-old Kevin Salazar - was located following a tip. Clinkunbroomer was shot on Saturday, Sept. 16, while he was in his patrol vehicle at an intersection in Palmdale and later "succumbed to his injuries," authorities said.

"Community members came forward with information which led homicide detectives to identify the suspect and the vehicle used in the murder of Deputy Clinkunbroomer early this morning," Luna said Monday afternoon.

The sheriff's department's Special Enforcement Bureau tactical team then went to a home in Palmdale and "during that operation, deputies surrounded the residence and called out all the occupants of that residence," Luna continued.

"Eventually, family members did come out. The suspect chose to barricade himself and refused to initially come out. He barricaded himself for several hours," Luna added, noting that de-escalation techniques were used in an attempt to coax Salazar out of the property.

"Eventually, they deployed chemical agents and the suspect ultimately surrendered," he said.

"And I want to take a pause here for a second when I talk about how proud I am of this department after a significant tragedy that we've shared with all of you, because those special enforcement deputies took the time to try to de-escalate this and take this individual peacefully into custody when they knew that our deputy was not afforded the same opportunity," Luna also said. ..... 

Police last night announced a reward of $250,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case.

Investigators had also released images of a vehicle - possibly a Toyota Corolla between the model years of 2006 to 2012 - sought in connection to the fatal attack. That vehicle later was found in addition to "numerous firearms," Luna said Monday, stressing that the case is still under investigation.

"I do want to stress to our community that although we are extremely confident that we have the right person in custody, I am still asking people to come forward and give us any piece of information that they believe that they have. Why? Because the arrest is only one part of this. We have to get this individual prosecuted now. To the full extent of the law," Luna said. "And we need the public's continued help and support in doing that."

Luna also choked up at one point during a news conference Monday while describing the attack on Clinkunbroomer.

"Our officers, our deputies go out and serve this community every day, putting their lives on the line. So we have a lot to be thankful for that we have men and women who volunteered to do this and families who kiss them goodbye and just pray that they come back home," Luna said. "And in this case, Ryan's family will never see him again."

Luna also read out a statement from Clinkunbroomer's family, also describing the officer as being among "three generations" of law enforcement. The deputy's father and grandfather also worked for the sheriff's department.

"Our son Ryan was a dedicated, hardworking deputy sheriff who enjoyed working here at the Palmdale station. He was proud to work along the side of his partners that he considered brothers and sisters as he sacrificed daily to better the community that he served. Ryan made the ultimate sacrifice in doing so," Luna said. "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. Please keep Ryan's family, friends and colleagues in your prayers and respect everyone's privacy during our time of mourning."

Surveillance video that homicide investigators were aware of appeared to show the moments before Clinkunbroomer was shot in the back of the head and killed.

The video, obtained by FOX 11 Los Angeles, shows a black car pulling up to the left of a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's cruiser at a red light. It is not possible to see any shots fired, but the black vehicle drives away as the sheriff's cruiser slowly rolls forward and then comes to a stop.

A citizen saw the deputy slumped in his cruiser in front of the Palmdale Sheriff's Station in Palmdale and went inside the station to alert other deputies.

Clinkunbroomer was initially taken to the hospital in his cruiser, but an ambulance caught up with them on the way, according to FOX 11.

Clinkunbroomer was then put in an ambulance, and another deputy took his cruiser to a medical center in Lancaster.

The motive for the shooting is unclear.

Clinkunbroomer was an eight-year veteran of LASD who served the Palmdale and Antelope Valley communities with "absolute distinction," Luna said.

Fox News Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Bill Melugin, Landon Mion and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer was tragically shot and killed over the weekend in an ambush-style attack. On Monday, authorities announced that a suspect, identified as 29-year-old Kevin Salazar, had been arrested in connection with the shooting. The arrest came after community members provided information that led homicide detectives to identify the suspect and the vehicle used in the crime. Acting on this information, the sheriff's department's Special Enforcement Bureau tactical team went to a home in Palmdale where the suspect was believed to be hiding. While family members came out of the residence, Salazar barricaded himself inside for several hours. Law enforcement officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and peacefully coax the suspect out, but eventually deployed chemical agents, leading Salazar to surrender. Sheriff Robert Luna expressed his pride in the department's handling of the situation, noting that they gave the suspect every opportunity to surrender peacefully, unlike the way Clinkunbroomer was afforded no chance by the suspect. Salazar was taken into custody, and authorities recovered the vehicle and multiple firearms at the scene.

 ..... Images of a vehicle believed to be involved in the attack, a dark gray Toyota Corolla made between 2006 and 2012, were released to the public. The vehicle was later found, along with the aforementioned firearms. However, authorities stress that the investigation is still ongoing, and they encourage anyone with additional information to come forward to assist in the prosecution of Salazar.

During a news conference, Sheriff Luna became emotional as he described the attack on Deputy Clinkunbroomer. He highlighted the sacrifices that law enforcement officers and their families make daily, with the hope of returning home safely. Luna also read a statement from Clinkunbroomer's family, who described him as a dedicated and hardworking deputy who was proud to serve the Palmdale community. Clinkunbroomer's family requested privacy during this time of mourning.

Surveillance video captured the moments before the shooting, showing a black car pulling up to the left of Clinkunbroomer's patrol vehicle at a red light. While the video does not show the actual shots being fired, it does show the black vehicle driving away as the patrol car comes to a stop. A citizen discovered Deputy Clinkunbroomer slumped over in his cruiser and alerted other deputies inside the Palmdale Sheriff's Station. Clinkunbroomer was initially taken to the hospital in his cruiser but was transferred to an ambulance en route. Another deputy took the cruiser to a medical center in Lancaster.

 ..... His father and grandfather had also worked for the sheriff's department, making him part of three generations of law enforcement officers.

This tragic incident has brought attention to the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and the community in Palmdale. In 2015, a settlement involving police reforms was announced in Palmdale and the nearby city of Lancaster following an investigation that uncovered patterns of excessive force and biased policing practices. Monitors overseeing the settlement have noted a lack of progress in recent years, but have also recognized signs of commitment to reforms.