Jury hears arguments in case over fatal shooting near Palmdale sheriff’s station
A jury in Los Angeles on Monday heard opening statements in the trial of Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar, the 32-year-old Palmdale resident accused of fatally shooting Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer on Sept. 16, 2023. The killing took place while Clinkunbroomer was seated in a marked patrol vehicle stopped at a red light near the Los Angeles County sheriff’s Palmdale station.
Prosecutors told jurors the shooting was an ambush and that the defendant had long harbored a desire to kill a law enforcement officer. The district attorney framed the slaying as an attack that occurred because Clinkunbroomer was a deputy sheriff doing his job.
"He was doing what he loved — working as a deputy sheriff. He died in the line of duty and the only reason he died was because he was a deputy sheriff,"
The defense, by contrast, said the trial will focus on Salazar’s mental state at the time of the killing rather than the question of who fired the fatal shot. Salazar entered a dual plea of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity.
Charges and potential penalties
Salazar faces a murder charge that includes multiple special circumstance allegations: murder of a peace officer, lying in wait and firing from a vehicle. Prosecutors also allege that Salazar personally used and discharged a .22-caliber revolver in the attack.
If convicted and found sane, Salazar could face life in prison. If the court determines he was legally insane when the crime occurred, he would instead be committed to a state hospital.
| Allegation | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weapon | .22-caliber revolver (alleged) |
| Special circumstances | Murder of a peace officer; lying in wait; firing from a vehicle |
| Possible outcomes | Life in prison if sane; state hospital commitment if legally insane |
Courtroom scene and defense strategy
Salazar, dressed in street clothes, sat quietly in the courtroom and appeared unresponsive to attorneys’ statements. The courtroom was filled with members of Clinkunbroomer’s family and colleagues from the sheriff’s department.
In court documents, defense attorney George Rosenstock argued that Salazar was incapable of understanding the nature and quality of his actions or distinguishing right from wrong due to his mental state at the time of the killing. The defense intends to present testimony from mental health professionals who examined Salazar and evaluated statements he made after his arrest and during a subsequent undercover jailhouse interaction, according to filings.
- Defense emphasis: legal insanity at the time of the offense
- Prosecution emphasis: targeted killing of an on-duty deputy
- Court phase: jury will consider evidence that pertains both to guilt and to sanity
Prosecutors and the defense described episodes of seemingly irrational behavior by Salazar on the day of the killing and in the days prior, including confrontations with strangers while driving. The Los Angeles Superior Court will consider both the factual question of the shooting and the separate legal question of the defendant’s mental state.
Local impact and next steps
The death of Deputy Clinkunbroomer — who was shot in the back of the head while inside his patrol vehicle — reverberated across the Antelope Valley and among sheriff’s department personnel. The case remains a focal point for Palmdale residents concerned about officer safety and public violence.
Jury deliberations will follow presentation of evidence. Depending on rulings and testimony, the trial will determine whether Salazar is criminally responsible and, if so, whether he should be punished through imprisonment or civilly committed because of legal insanity.
The trial is being conducted in downtown Los Angeles. Courtroom schedules and filings will guide further reporting as the case progresses.
