A person of interest has been detained in connection to the killing of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer.

Clinkunbroomer was shot and killed inside his police cruiser on September 16, in what detectives believe was a drive-by style shooting.

LASD said the deputy was ambushed near the Sheriff’s station in the city of Palmdale, where Clinkunbroomer served since 2018.

“… We’re angry because Ryan came to work yesterday, he donned his uniform, he got in a sheriff’s black and white to come out and serve our community and unfortunately he’s not going to go home,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said during a Sept. 17 candlelight vigil. “That’s not the way things are supposed to happen.”

The Sheriff’s Dept. said the deputy was found in “medical distress” between Sierra Highway and Avenue Q at approximately 6 p.m. He was then taken to Antelope Valley Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

“Palmdale loves the Sheriff’s deputies and the deputies take very good care of Palmdale and love our community back,” Palmdale Mayor Laura Bettencourt said. “The person that did this is a coward and will be caught. We do not tolerate this kind of behavior in Palmdale. It is not who Palmdale is.”

After the shooting, video of the suspected incident began circulating through social media, which showed what is believed to be Clinkunbroomer driving up to a stop sign. A gray Toyota Corolla, then pulled up next to the police vehicle and quickly drove away. The video did not show signs of a shooting, but the police vehicle did not move afterward.

Sheriff Luna acknowledged the circulating video footage and said it was being used as part of the murder investigation.

“I extend my deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, who made the ultimate sacrifice last night in the line of duty,” Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon said in a statement. “We mourn the loss of a dedicated and courageous deputy, whose unwavering commitment to upholding the law and ensuring the safety of our community will never be forgotten. We stand united with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and all of our law enforcement community in this time of profound grief, and we will tirelessly pursue justice for Deputy Clinkunbroomer.”

Rewards for information leading to the arrest of a suspect reached up to $250,000, with $100,000 coming from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, $100,000 from the city of Palmdale and $50,000 from LASD.

As of this writing, no further information has been made available on the detained person of interest. L.A. Weekly will update as details become available.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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