The man charged with murder in the shooting of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer inside his patrol vehicle just steps from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s station in Palmdale over the weekend pleaded not guilty due to insanity on Wednesday, Sept. 20.
Kevin Cataneo Salazar, 29, appeared inside the Lancaster courtroom, restrained in a blue vest and handcuffs, behind a glass panel inside the defendant holding area as he listened to Judge Scott Yang read the charges filed against him.
Salazar was last seen days earlier as he was arrested outside his home in Palmdale, finally surrendering after an hours-long standoff with heavily armed deputies.
Sheriff’s officials and prosecutors say they believe Salazar was the man driving a Toyota Corolla that pulled up alongside Clinkunbroomer, sitting in the driver’s seat of his sheriff’s SUV around 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16.
Video of the attack shows Clinkunbroomer had stopped the vehicle at a red light. Just behind him, the driver of the Corolla accelerated to pull up on Clinkunbroomer’s left — officials have said that’s when Salazar suddenly opened fire on Clinkunbroomer, hitting him at least once before fleeing.
Salazar’s family, who told reporters gathered outside their family home on Monday, Sept. 18, that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, sat quietly in the courtroom gallery.
When Salazar appeared, family members stood up attempting to see him. They were ordered to remain seated.
After the brief hearing, Salazar was taken back to jail. The family left the courtroom, his mother and sister crying as they exited.
Salazar was charged with one count of murder, District Attorney George Gascón said. Added to that charge were three allegations — that he laid in wait to ambush Clinkunbroomer, that he attacked an on-duty law enforcement officer and that he used a firearm in the killing (a .22-caliber revolver) – that if proven would mean more prison time added to his potential sentence.
Salazar already faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if he’s convicted on the murder charge.
Deputy District Attorney Michael Blake, who appeared in Salazar’s hearing in the Antelope Valley, later spoke at the Hall of Justice in Downtown L.A., where Gascón and Sheriff Robert Luna announced the charges.
Blake said investigators believe Salazar purchased the gun he’s accused of using to kill Clinkunbroomer himself.
“There was a purchase made in the weeks before this crime occurred,” Blake said.
It was not immediately known if the gun was purchased legally.
Salazar’s family previously told reporters they were not aware he had access to a gun. Luna said after the search of the home that investigators found several weapons inside.
Law enforcement officials would not say how Salazar was able to get a gun despite his family describing a history of mental health issues and threats of suicide.
In California, anyone subjected to a 72-hour involuntary hold during a mental health crisis — known as a “5150” — cannot legally buy a gun for five years. If the person has been placed on two involuntary holds in a calendar year, they are banned for life from purchasing a gun.
However, according to the UC Davis Firearm Violence Research Center, such holds do not automatically trigger the filing of a restraining order to prevent the person from accessing weapons. Law enforcement officers or other valid petitioners must bring their case to a judge first to have the order approved.
It’s not clear if Salazar’s apparent mental health history ever led to him being subjected to an involuntary hold.
Salazar’s mother, Marle Salazar, told reporters her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia and that over the years he received treatment for severe issues related to his illness. She also said sheriff’s deputies had visited their home before after Kevin Salazar threatened to commit suicide.
Deputy District Attorney David Ayvazian said Wednesday that investigators would “get records to be sure if there’s been any actual contact,” between Kevin Salazar and law enforcement or mental health professionals.
He said absent any records, prosecutors would not “speculate on (Salazar’s) mental health history.”
Ayvazian said the lying-in-wait enhancement was based on video of Salazar’s alleged encounter with Clinkunbroomer. He described Salazar’s alleged actions — slowing his car behind the deputy’s before pulling around him as he allegedly prepared to attack — as “consistent with the lying-in-wait theory.”
“Ryan had just left the station — in uniform, in his black-and-white police car. He was just sitting there waiting for the light to turn,” Luna said. “And he’s never coming home again.”
Officials would not say why they think Salazar killed Clinkunbroomer. They were not aware of any previous encounter between the men.
Clinkunbroomer, 30, had worked for the Sheriff’s Department eight years.
Behind Luna, Clinkunbroomer’s fiancée Brittany Lindsey clutched the arm of his mother. Also with them were Clinkunbroomer’s father, brother and sister.
Gascón said several members of Clinkunbroomer’s family are also in law enforcement: His grandfather and father, both retired, also worked for the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. His brother is a current member of an Antelope Valley police department.
Through tears, her voice wavering, Lindsey said she was mourning what would have been a life she and Clinkunbroomer built together had they been able to get married. Luna earlier said Lindsey and Clinkunbroomer had just gotten engaged recently before he was killed.
“Ryan, I love you, and I miss you,” she said. “Until we meet again.”
