Kevin Salazar was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2023 ambush killing of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer. Jurors reached the verdict after about two and a half hours of deliberation following a week-long trial. The jury also found special circumstance allegations involving the murder of a peace officer, lying in wait and firing from a vehicle. The case will now move to a sanity phase because Salazar raised an insanity defense.
| 1) | Jury convicts Salazar after week-long trial |
|---|---|
| 2) | Details of the Palmdale ambush |
| 3) | Sanity phase follows the murder verdict |
| 4) | Family and law enforcement respond |
| 5) | Civil claims and memorial honors |
Jury convicts Salazar after week-long trial
The Los Angeles County jury found Kevin Salazar, 32, guilty on Monday after hearing evidence during a week-long trial. The conviction concerns the killing of Ryan Clinkunbroomer, a 30-year-old deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Jurors deliberated for roughly two and a half hours before reaching their decision.
The verdict included first-degree murder and special circumstance allegations that the victim was a peace officer, that the killing involved lying in wait and that the shooter fired from a vehicle. Those findings reflect prosecutors’ account that the attack was deliberate and carried out as the deputy waited at a traffic signal near his station.
Details of the Palmdale ambush
At about 6 p.m. on Sept. 16, 2023, Ryan Clinkunbroomer was driving a marked patrol vehicle and wearing his uniform when he stopped at a red light near the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station. Authorities said another vehicle pulled alongside him at the intersection of Sierra Highway and Avenue Q.
According to the prosecution’s account, Kevin Salazar had followed the deputy from the station to the intersection, which was less than a block away. A man inside the other vehicle then shot Clinkunbroomer in the head with a .22-caliber revolver before fleeing. The deputy was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Authorities located Salazar at his family’s home in Palmdale two days later. He was arrested after a standoff, part of which was recorded on video. The family’s attorney, Brad Gage, said the motive remained unclear.
“As far as we know, there was no reason. It was just execution of a police officer,” Brad Gage said.
Sanity phase follows the murder verdict
The court is scheduled to begin a sanity-deciding phase on Wednesday. That proceeding will address the consequences of Salazar’s insanity defense and determine whether he is sent to prison or confined in a state mental hospital.
The murder conviction establishes the jury’s findings on the killing and the special circumstances. The subsequent phase is focused on Salazar’s mental condition and the appropriate placement under California law. No motive for the shooting was established in the information available from the trial outcome.
Family and law enforcement respond
The verdict brought limited comfort to Clinkunbroomer’s family, according to Brad Gage, who represents his parents. Clinkunbroomer was engaged to be married when he was killed. His grandfather, father and brother had also served in law enforcement.
“When a parent loses a child, there’s no name for it. It’s so painful, it’s so traumatic, it is so devastating that it is beyond words,” Brad Gage said.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman called the killing brutal and senseless and said the verdict might bring some healing to the deputy’s family and loved ones. Sheriff Robert Luna said Clinkunbroomer had dedicated his life to service and carried on his family’s law enforcement legacy as a third-generation department member.
Civil claims and memorial honors
After the shooting, Clinkunbroomer’s family sued Los Angeles County, alleging that mandatory overtime and understaffing had left him exhausted and more vulnerable to the ambush. The county was dismissed from that lawsuit under workers’ compensation protections, and the family chose not to pursue a civil case against Salazar.
The county separately honored the deputy in January 2026 by renaming a Department of Parks and Recreation sports complex after him. A sidewalk memorial also grew near the site of the shooting outside the Palmdale station, preserving a public reminder of his service and death.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Kevin Salazar was convicted of first-degree murder. |
| 2 | The jury found special circumstances involving a peace officer, lying in wait and firing from a vehicle. |
| 3 | Ryan Clinkunbroomer was shot while stopped at a red light near the Palmdale station in 2023. |
| 4 | A sanity phase will determine whether Salazar is imprisoned or placed in a state mental hospital. |
Summary
The conviction holds Kevin Salazar responsible for the fatal ambush of Ryan Clinkunbroomer, but the case is not complete. The upcoming sanity phase will determine Salazar’s placement, while the deputy’s family and department continue to commemorate his service. Authorities and the family attorney have said that a clear motive for the killing remains unknown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was convicted in the case?
Kevin Salazar, 32, was convicted of first-degree murder in the killing of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer.
What special circumstances did the jury find?
The jury found that the murder involved a peace officer, lying in wait and firing from a vehicle.
What happens next?
A sanity phase is scheduled to determine whether Salazar will be sent to prison or confined in a state mental hospital after raising an insanity defense.
