Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar found legally sane in deputy's murder

A Los Angeles County jury has found Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar, 32, legally sane, rejecting his defense of not guilty by reason of insanity in the murder of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer.

On August 24, Salazar was convicted of first-degree murder. The jury also upheld special circumstance allegations, including the murder of a peace officer, lying in wait, and firing a weapon from a vehicle. The incident occurred on September 16, 2023, when Deputy Clinkunbroomer was shot with a .22-caliber revolver from a vehicle while on duty near the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.

Following the shooting, Salazar fled the scene but was later arrested after a standoff at his residence. He faces life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing is scheduled for October 1 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.