LOS ANGELES – The man accused of murdering a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy in a shocking ambush attack pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity during his court appearance on Wednesday.
Authorities allege that Kevin Cataneo Salazar fatally shot 30-year-old Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer while the officer was sitting in his patrol car last Saturday. The tragic incident unfolded in Palmdale, a city in northern Los Angeles County with over 167,000 residents.
Cataneo Salazar, 29, faces a charge of murder along with special circumstance allegations, including the murder of a peace officer, murder committed by lying in wait, murder committed by firing from a car, and personal use of a firearm.
During the arraignment, his attorney, George Rosenstock, entered a dual plea of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity on his behalf.
Authorities have described the deputy as “targeted,” but they have not confirmed whether Cataneo Salazar intended to harm Clinkunbroomer specifically or any law enforcement officer in general.
According to the district attorney’s office, Cataneo Salazar allegedly followed Clinkunbroomer as he left the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Palmdale Station shortly before 6 p.m. last Saturday. Tragically, the shooting occurred when the deputy was waiting at a red light just one block away from the station, according to Sheriff Robert Luna.
Following an hours-long standoff with sheriff’s deputies, Cataneo Salazar was arrested at his family’s Palmdale residence on Monday. He remains in custody without bail and is scheduled to return to court in November. Rosenstock’s office did not provide further comments on the case.
During a press conference, District Attorney George Gascón expressed his commitment to securing a conviction and a life sentence for Cataneo Salazar, emphasizing that it was essential for the deputy’s family. Clinkunbroomer’s fiancée, parents, brother, and sister were present at the conference, accompanied by dozens of mourning sheriff’s deputies.
Brittany Lindsey, Clinkunbroomer’s fiancée, tearfully shared their plans to get married and start a family, describing him as “the best guy” she ever met.
Meanwhile, Cataneo Salazar’s mother and other family members have not responded to inquiries for comment. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, his mother, Marle Salazar, revealed that her son had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia about five years ago. He had reported hearing voices and sometimes believed he was being followed. He had also attempted suicide twice.
Marle Salazar stated that she was unaware of her son owning a firearm, but detectives informed her that he had legally purchased the weapon used in the attack in the weeks leading up to the incident. Deputy District Attorney Michael Blake confirmed the purchase during the press conference but did not clarify its legality.
California has enacted a “red flag law” allowing the seizure of firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. Law enforcement, family members, and others can request court orders to prevent these individuals from possessing or purchasing firearms. Despite Cataneo Salazar’s schizophrenia diagnosis, it remains uncertain whether he would have met the criteria for such an intervention, as no records indicate any previous attempts to seize his weapons or prevent him from acquiring them.
Marle Salazar recalled calling the police on several occasions when her son refused to take his medication and became aggressive, but she was told that because he was an adult, there were limited options for intervention.
Officials are now investigating Cataneo Salazar’s history of mental illness and whether there were prior law enforcement calls to his residence.
