Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon has announced multiple charges against Kevin Cataneo Salazar for the ambush killing of sheriff's deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer. Salazar, who was taken into custody on Monday, has been charged with murder and special circumstance charges including killing a peace officer, lying in wait, and discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Gascon revealed that Salazar had entered a dual plea of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity. The murder charge stems from the fatal shooting of Deputy Clinkunbroomer, who was found with a gunshot wound outside the Palmdale sheriff's station and later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. Clinkunbroomer, a 30-year-old field training officer, was targeted in what Sheriff Luna described as a “sickening” act.

Gascon, who has faced criticism for his perceived soft-on-crime policies, assured the public that his office would aggressively prosecute Salazar for the "cowardly and senseless attack." However, Gascon's opponents, including prosecutor Jonathan Hatami, have accused him of removing special circumstances and gun use allegations in all cases. They argue that this directive undermines justice in cases of heinous crimes like the murder of a police officer.

Richard Pippin, president of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, expressed hope that Gascon would follow through on his commitment to pursuing justice for Deputy Clinkunbroomer's family. Gascon's progressive policies have been met with backlash from law enforcement and elected officials. Despite surviving two recall attempts, Gascon faces challenges from three of his own deputy district attorneys in the upcoming election.

Meanwhile, the suspect's attorney, George Rosenstock, entered a plea of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity on Salazar's behalf during the arraignment. Salazar was arrested after barricading himself in his family's Palmdale home following the shooting. The motive for the ambush killing remains unclear, and authorities have not disclosed any prior connection between Salazar and Deputy Clinkunbroomer.

The case will now be reviewed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, which will determine the charges to be filed against Salazar. Gascon has pledged to seek a conviction and a life sentence for the suspect, emphasizing his commitment to Deputy Clinkunbroomer's family during an emotional press conference. The deputy's fiancee, parents, brother, and sister were present, along with numerous mourning sheriff's deputies.

As the investigation continues, details about Salazar's mental health have emerged. His mother revealed that he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and had attempted suicide twice. However, it remains unclear whether Salazar would have qualified under California's "red flag law" that allows for firearms to be seized from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. There were no records of anyone petitioning to remove Salazar's weapons or prevent him from purchasing them.

While Salazar's mother claims to have sought help from law enforcement in the past due to her son's refusal to take medication and aggressive behavior towards himself, it seems no action was taken. The tragic circumstances of this case have raised questions about the handling of individuals with mental illnesses and the effectiveness of red flag laws in preventing such incidents.