The alleged killer of Los Angeles police officer Ryan Clinkunbroomer has pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity.
Kevin Salazar, 29, was arrested early Monday after an hours-long standoff with police at a Palmdale home — just 36 hours after Deputy Clinkunbroomer, 30, was shot and killed in his patrol car on Sunday.
Clinkunbroomer was found shot to death in a targeted ambush near the intersection of Sierra Highway and Avenue Q in Palmdale over the weekend.
Salazar’s family claimed he had suffered from mental health issues in the past; His sister Jessica said “he wasn’t in the right frame of mind” when he shot the officer, who had gotten engaged just days before he was shot.
“My brother had schizophrenia. “He was paranoid,” Jessica claimed.
Kevin Salazar, 29, the alleged killer of Los Angeles police officer Ryan Clinkunbroomer, has pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity
Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer had gotten engaged just four days before his murder. He was an eight-year veteran of the police force, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather
Salazar’s attorney entered two pleas Wednesday: not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity.
If Salazar is found guilty, there would be a second trial to decide whether he is insane or not. If a jury finds he is insane, he will be sent to a state hospital or facility for treatment.
Salazar’s mother Marle also claimed that the alleged killer was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia several years ago. She added that she even immediately called him to the Sheriff’s Department when he refused to take his medication and became aggressive.
“My son is mentally ill, and when he did something, he was no longer at his full mental capacity,” she told the Los Angeles Times. “They just say he was the one who shot the police officer, but no one says he has a proven need for mental health help.”
Salazar claimed he heard voices and people followed him on the street, according to his mother, who added that during such episodes her son would act hysterical or as if he were 5 years old.
He also reportedly attempted suicide twice and was hospitalized last year. Marle said she thinks he is getting better and stopped taking his medication about 10 months ago.
Salazar’s attorney entered two pleas Wednesday: not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity.
The family of alleged cop killer Kevin Salazar leaves a Los Angeles court on Wednesday
Despite his past mental health issues, Marle confirmed that Salazar owned a gun that he purchased legally.
Salazar was at his family home with relatives after the shooting, and his mother said he did not appear nervous or show any signs of being involved in the shooting.
Sheriff Robert Luna said during a news conference announcing Salazar’s arrest Monday that community leaders presented information that led them to the suspect and his vehicle.
Salazar refused to leave the house for hours and only surrendered after police released chemical agents.
Luna said he believes the shooting was a “targeted attack,” but the motive and whether Clinkunbroomer or the department in general was the target remains unclear.
“Without warning, he was murdered while serving our community,” an emotional Luna said at a news conference Sunday. ‘Please I’m begging you. Someone has information. Do things right.’
Clinkunbroomer was a third-generation deputy whose father and grandfather also served in the police force. He is pictured with his fiancée
When asked about claims about Salazar’s mental health, Luna said, “If I had to go to your family and tell them you’re not coming home and you were just murdered, does it matter what the person was thinking or how they’re feeling?” ?”
The video shows Clinkunbroomer’s patrol car stopping at a red light. A black sedan stops a few feet behind the car before pulling over to the driver’s side. After a moment it disappears down the street as the patrol car rolls forward slightly and comes to a stop.
Clinkunbroomer was found near the intersection by a person who identified Luna as a “good Samaritan” and alerted city sheriff’s station personnel.
The deputy was taken to Antelope Valley Medical Center in Lancaster, where he was treated for a gunshot wound and ultimately died.
Clinkunbroomer, who transferred to the Palmdale station in July 2018, was a third-generation officer who followed his grandfather and father into the sheriff’s department, Luna said.
He transferred to the Palmdale station in July 2018 and served as a field training officer for nearly two years, where he trained and supervised officers.
Clinkunbroomer had reportedly dropped off a trainee at the train station before he was murdered.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom called the killing “horrific, incomprehensible and shocking.” He ordered flags to be flown at half-mast in the state capital in honor of Clinkunbroomer.
“In this time of grief, we honor this legacy and extend our deepest condolences to Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s fiancée, his loved ones, and the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department,” Newsom said in a statement Sunday. “Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s commitment to the community and country will never be forgotten.”