A deputy was shot to demise Saturday in a focused ambush that befell in entrance of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division‘s Palmdale station, Sheriff Robert Luna mentioned.
Luna spoke to reporters from the hospital the place the deputy’s household was mourning. He recognized the third-generation member of the sheriff’s division as 30-year-old Ryan Clinkunbroomer. “Service was in his blood,” he mentioned.
Clinkunbroomer was shot round 6 p.m. whereas sitting in his patrol automobile exterior the station. He was transported to Antelope Valley Medical Middle in Lancaster, the place he died.
The sheriff disclosed that Clinkunbroomer grew to become engaged simply 4 days in the past. “He didn’t deserve this,” Luna mentioned.
He mentioned Clinkunbroomer “embodied the values of bravery, selflessness and an absolute dedication to justice. Our deputy was a faithful member of the family, a cherished member of our group who was cowardly shot whereas working tirelessly to serve our group.”
“Our hearts completely exit to his household,” he mentioned.
The sheriff struggled to carry again feelings as he mentioned what he described as a focused ambush killing of the deputy as he pleaded with the general public for info to seek out the killer or killers.
Luna mentioned Murder detectives had been finding out video that information networks have been broadcasting that seems to point out a suspect car drive up behind Clinkunbroomer’s patrol car, then pull alongside momentarily earlier than dashing away. However he additionally implored anybody who has video or info to offer it to the division.
“We’re using each useful resource obtainable to apprehend the suspect answerable for this heinous crime,” Luna mentioned.
Luna mentioned that Clinkunbroomer was an eight-year veteran of the division and had been with the Palmdale station since July 2018, and served as a area coaching officer, which Luna mentioned is a job reserved for under “the perfect of the perfect.”
When requested what it feels prefer to undergo this expertise, Luna mentioned, “It sucks.” He added that it’s a very harmful job, however that Clinkunbroomer “was simply driving down the road.” He mentioned he believes that the deputy was shot merely for sporting the uniform.
“We’ll be leaning on one another,” Luna mentioned. “We have now loads of deputies who’re hurting … it’s a horrible feeling, however you recognize what, we’re nonetheless on the market serving, we’re nonetheless responding to calls … while you dial 911, you should have deputies reply to your property.”
Palmdale Mayor Laura Bettencourt additionally spoke to reporters and beseeched anybody with info or video to come back ahead.
