L.A. County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, who was shot at point blank range Saturday while in his patrol car in front of the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, has died of injuries. The tragic event has prompted an urgent manhunt for the suspect responsible.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger expressed her sorrow and outrage, emphasizing the need for justice and swift prosecution of those responsible for this heinous act. Clinkunbroomer’s death was announced by Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, who revealed that the young deputy had recently become engaged, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who were also deputies.
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Luna described the shooting as a targeted ambush killing, highlighting the brutality of the attack. Clinkunbroomer was found in grave condition in front of the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station by a Good Samaritan who stopped to provide assistance. Despite efforts to save him, Clinkunbroomer succumbed to his injuries after being transported to Antelope Valley Medical Center.
According to reports, Clinkunbroomer was shot while stopped at a red light in his patrol car, suffering a gunshot wound to the head. Surveillance footage showed a vehicle driving up behind the patrol car before speeding away, though it remains unclear whether this was the suspect, the Good Samaritan, or another individual.
The tragic news of Clinkunbroomer’s passing was confirmed later in the evening, prompting an outpouring of support and condolences from both the community and law enforcement agencies. Luna praised Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s dedication to serving the community, emphasizing his role as a field training officer, a position reserved for the most exceptional deputies.
Clinkunbroomer’s mother had recently shared her joy over his engagement on social media, adding to the heartbreak of his untimely death. Law enforcement officers paid their respects during an overnight procession, escorting Clinkunbroomer’s body to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office.
This tragic incident marks a somber moment, as Clinkunbroomer is believed to be the first Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy shot and killed in the line of duty since 2016. The community, along with public officials and fellow law enforcement agencies, stands in solidarity to support Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s family during this difficult time.
Luna urged anyone with information or video footage related to the shooting to come forward, emphasizing the importance of community assistance in apprehending the suspect. Witnesses were encouraged to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau or CrimeStoppers with any information related to the incident.
— Sheriff Robert Luna
“I want to let to our community know Deputy Clinkunbroomer left his family tonight to serve our community. He laid everything on the line to serve us. He wore a uniform just like other @LASDHQ deputies wear, driving in a police car, and he was senselessly murdered tonight.
“Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer was 30 years old and an eight-year veteran of the LASD. He served the Palmdale and Antelope Valley communities with absolute distinction. He transferred to Palmdale station in July 2018. And has been a field training officer for 1 1/2 years.
“From everything I know about Ryan, people absolutely loved and adored him. He wasn’t just one of our Deputy Sheriffs. He was a third generation deputy. His father and grandfather served with us.
“Service was running through his veins. He embodied the values of bravery/selflessness & committed to justice. Our deputy was a devoted family member and a cherished community member. He was cowardly shot while working tirelessly to serve our community this evening.
“Our hearts go out to his family. We cannot fully understand their pain, but we will stand with them in solidarity and support them during this difficult time. They deserve unwavering compassion, and we will do everything in our power to provide them with assistance and care.
“We will use all of our resources to bring the suspects responsible for the murder of Deputy Clinkunbroomer to justice.
“Anybody who witnessed anything, especially in the area of Sierra Highway around 6 PM, please call Homicide at 323-890-5500, or CrimeStoppers at 1-800 222 tips.”
— Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, statement
“Words cannot describe my immense sorrow for the tragic loss of a brave deputy’s life tonight. My heart breaks for his family, his fellow officers, and the community at large.
“There are a lot of unanswered questions — including who committed this heinous and brazen attack and why. Whoever is responsible must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and brought to swift justice.
“Our law enforcement officers selflessly put their lives on the line daily when they put on their uniform. These brave professionals fall under harsh scrutiny but it is undeniable that they risk their lives everyday as they work to protect our communities. Today’s loss is a terrible reminder of that reality.”
— Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, on X (formerly Twitter)
“The shooting of a @LASDHQ deputy in his patrol car in Palmdale today is senseless and horrific. I’ve reached out to @LACoSheriff Luna. Tonight I’m praying for him, his friends, fellow deputies at @PalmdaleSheriff, and especially his loved ones.”
— Palmdale Mayor Laura Bettencourt, news conference statement
“(He is a) hero. Palmdale loves the sheriff’s deputies and the deputies take very good care of Palmdale and love our community back. The person that did this is a coward and they will be caught.”
— Derek Hsieh, executive director of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, statement to Los Angeles Times
” It’s an outrage. An ambush is a targeted attack against law enforcement and it sends a really clear message.”
Others on X (formerly Twitter)
— State Sen. Scott Wilk, who represents Palmdale,
“It is sickening, heartbreaking news.”
— LAPD Chief Michel Moore
“Tonight we pray. Blessed are the Peacemakers.”
— Los Angeles Police Department
“An @LASDHQ Deputy was brutally killed in a horrific ambush this evening. Our hearts ache for the fallen deputy’s loved ones and colleagues. We stand united with LASD, grieving the loss of a dedicated life committed to safeguarding Los Angeles County.”
— City of Palmdale
“Our City mourns the tragic loss of LASD Palmdale Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer. It is with heavy hearts that we extend our deepest condolences to his family and colleagues. We stand united with LASD and urge anyone with information related to this incident to come forward.”
— Palmdale Sheriff’s Station
“Yesterday, on Sept. 16, 2023, Palmdale Station lost one of our own. Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer was ambushed and killed in his patrol vehicle while he was on duty. Words cannot express the shock, sadness and anger over this senseless loss of an exemplary deputy and an even better human being. Deputy Clinkunbroomer strived for excellence in everything he did. He was very thorough in his investigations, genuinely cared for the community he served, and he was always willing to help out his partners any time they needed it. We are numb with grief and are grasping to come to terms with the fact that he has left a very big void within our station family.”
— Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station
“We are all heartbroken today. Our hearts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters at Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, as well as the family and loved ones of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer. Thank you for your service, may you rest in peace.”
— Los Angeles School Police Department
“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn with our law enforcement brothers & sisters over the senseless murder of @LASDHQ Deputy Clinkhunbroomer. The Los Angeles School Police Department extends our condolences to his family, friends & colleagues. May he Rest In Peace.”
— Santa Monica Police Department
“We are profoundly saddened and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the loved ones of LASD Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, who was tragically killed yesterday in an act of senseless violence near the Palmdale Station. If you have any information about this incident, please contact LASD Homicide at 323- 890-5500. Your tips could be crucial in securing justice for Deputy Clinkunbroomer and his family.”
— Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes
“There are no adequate words to express my deep sadness over the senseless tragedy the family, friends and partners of Deputy Clinkunbroomer suffered last night. We stand in solidarity with our partners of the @LASDHQ as they mourn this horrific loss.”
— Long Beach Police Department
“Last night, Deputy Clinkunbroomer was ambushed and murdered while serving his community. This is an unacceptable act of violence. We mourn with our partners at @LASDHQ and our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.”
— Arcadia Police Department
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the @LASDHQ and the friends and family of the @PalmdaleSheriff on the loss of their deputy tonight! We will never forget!! Rest easy our partner, we’ve got it from here!”
— Glendale Police Department
“The Glendale Police Department would like to extend our condolences to the family of Deputy Clinkunbroomer.”
— Brea Police Department
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer and the entire Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department during this difficult time.”
— San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
“We send our deepest condolences to our brothers and sisters at @LASDHQ over the death of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer. He was fatally shot while sitting in his patrol car in Palmdale. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones. To all law enforcement, stay safe.”
— Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office
“With heavy hearts, we extend our condolences to the @LASDHQ after Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer was killed in the line of duty tonight. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the men and women he served with.”
— National Police Association
“RIP LASD Palmdale Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, murdered for the uniform he wore. Prayers for his fiancé, family, and @LASDHQ.”
Copyright 2023, City News Service, Inc.
CNS-09-17-2023 09:39
Democrat crime lovers.
RIP poor man.
we need mandatory mental health assessments and treatment. It doesn’t matter if someone wants to refuse treatment – what about everyone else that is then subjected to the violence of someone who declined treatment.
With the arrest of the suspect, we now know this had nothing to do with a hatred of the Sheriff, but is another tragic case of someone with mental health health issues not being treated. The shooter was schizophrenic and not on his meds.
Another sad case of mental illness and no ability to either deal with it in at family level or a legal level. God bless the sheriff and strength to both families.
That there is a hero. Defund this.
It seems as if Law Enforcement is Hated,just as much as the homeless Nowadays !
The D Party is responsible. Open borders, defund the police, no bail, not prosecuting crimes etc. Total lawlessness.
The shooter was a schizophrenic not on his meds. Nothing to do with borders, defunding police or any political party.
You mean like the FLOOD OF DRUGS illegal aliens bring across the border, or the sex trafficking, or the murders, robberies, and the all round 70% of crime in LA connected to DEMOCRAT sponsored Third World illegal aliens that our high taxes are forced to support? Asking for a friend.
A senseless tragedy. Given what is going on, it will soon be impossible to get quality people to join law enforcement.
Did you miss the condolences from our Supervisor?
Or any of our CC.
Our CC does not register unless they individually are the main event. BTW no mention of 9/11in terms of reverence.
Right, and of course they, and the treacherous Horvath, couldn’t care less about a white male.
Lindsey “defund the police” Horvath laughs at this. And crickets from Sepi, who is probably on another Middle East peace mission free luxury vacation.
Lindsey Horvath’s inability to condemn this violence is another sign of her morally reprehensible failures as a public servant. The Board of Supervisors, as the legislative body overseeing the LASD, each have an obligation to speak up. Three have failed. Barger and Hahn did the right thing, but there’s more to do.
Horvath’s lack of response engenders a community of folks that believe this is normal behavior.
while not a supporter, she did not jump to conclusions. The shooter was schizophrenic and had no idea what he was doing. Just tragic on all levels.
“schizophrenic”…like Joe Criminal Biden, Nancy “insider trading” Pelosi, and Hillary “Russian Hoax” Clinton?
Know the facts Alan, The shooter was schizophrenic and had no idea what he was doing. Just tragic on all levels.
The fact is that a person killed another person. Any death at the hands of a guns is reprehensible and must be loudly condemned. The criminal justice system will deal separately with a person’s mental state, but politicians shouldn’t not be given a pass in failing to loudly condemn the death. Fact–the deputy was killed. Conclusion–he’s dead by firearm.
Horrible. Absolutely horrible. 🙏🏼 🕯️🕊️
So sad and angry. We must defend our police.
Tired of all this soft on crime…you break into a store with a hammer…that is a dangerous weapon. Store owners should be able to stop the criminals with gun force…no penalty to the shop owner.
Simply awful news.
My condolences to the family.
This literally sickens me. And it’s also a sickening thought that the useless low-life who did this abhorrent thing might get away with it. It actually makes me want to support the death penalty. Why should the taxpayers support this worthless creep for the rest of his miserable life in prison? Years ago, I was given to understand that I was dismissed from a potential jury duty case when I was interviewed & asked, hypothetically, if there was a case of what I considered a 50/50 possibility against a police officer, which side would I favor. I said without hesitation… Read more »
I hope you have never had mental health as an issue in your family. The shooter was schizophrenic and had no idea what he was doing. Just tragic on all levels.