A jury has convicted Kevin Salazar, 32, in the murder of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer in a drive-by shooting. The incident took place near the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station on September 16, 2023. Salazar was found guilty after a week-long trial for this brutal attack.
Attorney Brad Gage, representing the Clinkunbroomer family, stated that the conviction provides some solace and comfort to the family. Clinkunbroomer’s family has filed a $20 million wrongful death lawsuit against the county. The lawsuit announcement was made during a news conference.
Authorities reported that Clinkunbroomer was shot while stopped at a red light in his marked car, wearing his uniform. Salazar trailed Clinkunbroomer from the sheriff’s station before shooting him with a .22 revolver.
“When a parent loses a child, there’s no name for it,” attorney Brad Gage expressed. “It’s so painful, it’s so traumatic, it is so devastating that it is beyond words.”
Jurors reached a verdict quickly, finding Salazar guilty of first-degree murder, including special circumstance allegations like murder of a peace officer and firing from a vehicle.
Despite Salazar’s conviction, the motive behind the act remains unclear. The court will soon address Salazar’s sanity plea raised during the trial, deciding between imprisonment or commitment to a state mental hospital.
A memorial grew at the intersection near the site of the shooting, remembering Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s service. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that although the verdict is a step toward healing, the loss suffered by Clinkunbroomer’s family and colleagues is immense. Clinkunbroomer followed a family tradition in law enforcement, serving as a third-generation deputy.
Following Clinkunbroomer’s death, his family attributed exhaustion due to mandatory overtime and understaffing as factors in his vulnerability. Consequently, they sued the county. However, based on workers’ compensation protections, the county was dismissed from this suit. The family opted not to pursue a civil case against Salazar.
In a move to honor Clinkunbroomer’s legacy, the county renamed a sports complex after him in January 2026.