Arrest Made in the Ambush Murder of an LA County Sheriff’s Deputy

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A man, aged 29, was taken into custody in the early hours of Monday, a day and a half after the targeted murder of a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, who was fatally shot while sitting in his patrol car, according to official reports.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna informed the media that the apprehended individual had initially ensconced himself within a Palmdale residence for an extended period before ultimately surrendering. Confiscated weapons were also mentioned but not specifically identified.

The authorities are still in the process of establishing a motive behind the killing of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, 30, which occurred on Saturday evening. Sheriff Luna described the ongoing investigation as “dynamic” and did not rule out the possibility of additional arrests, although he expressed a strong conviction that the arrested individual was the perpetrator.

Speaking of the circumstances, Luna stated, “Our deputy was in full uniform and seated in a clearly marked police vehicle in front of the station when he was killed. As to the motive, it remains unclear at this time. Our objective is to ascertain the facts.”

A sizable crowd gathered for a vigil at the Palmdale sheriff’s station on Sunday, commemorating the slain deputy, a third-generation law enforcement officer who had recently become engaged. A statement from Clinkunbroomer’s family described him as committed, industrious, and honored to work alongside his peers. The family’s statement emphasized that their son had made the ultimate sacrifice and had recently become engaged to his significant other.

Clinkunbroomer had departed from the Palmdale sheriff’s station just prior to the attack. The station is located in Palmdale, a city with a population exceeding 167,000, situated in the northern high desert region of Los Angeles County. A passerby discovered him shortly after the shooting and informed station staff.

Subsequently, the department made public a grainy surveillance video featuring a dark sedan that had approached the patrol car moments before the shooting. Sheriff Luna acknowledged that tips from community members were instrumental in helping homicide detectives identify the suspect and locate the vehicle involved.

A SWAT team from the department’s Special Enforcement Bureau executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence early Monday, according to Luna. While family members exited the house, the suspect chose to barricade himself inside. Luna stated that deputies employed de-escalation tactics, including negotiation, before resorting to chemical agents to compel the suspect to surrender.

Luna expressed pride in the Special Enforcement deputies for their efforts to bring the suspect into custody without further violence, especially considering the manner in which Deputy Clinkunbroomer was killed.

Clinkunbroomer had been posted at the Palmdale station since July 2018, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who also served in the department. Richard Pippin, the president of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, noted that the deputy’s murder was profoundly affecting to the department and community.

California Governor Gavin Newsom labeled the killing as “dreadful, indefensible, and shocking,” ordering flags at the state Capitol to be lowered in memory of Clinkunbroomer. Deputy William Warner, who mentored Clinkunbroomer, told the Los Angeles Times that his dedication to emulate his father and grandfather was evident in his steadfast work ethic.

Reported by Antczak in Los Angeles. Contributory reporting by Big Big News reporter Julie Watson in San Diego.

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More about Arrest of LA County Sheriff’s Deputy Killer

• Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Official Website
• Palmdale Sheriff’s Station Information
• Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs Official Statement
• California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Official Statement
• Surveillance Footage Release by the Department
• Coverage by the Los Angeles Times on Deputy Clinkunbroomer
• Big Big News Network
• Law Enforcement De-escalation Techniques and Procedures
• California State Capitol Flags at Half-Staff Notice