On Saturday, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon announced additional charges against Kevin Cataneo Salazar in connection with the ambush death of sheriff’s deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer.
Peace Officer Salazar Got Shot and Killed
Salazar was arrested on Monday morning after the tragic shooting. During a press conference on Wednesday, Gascon revealed that Salazar had been charged with murder, as well as special circumstance charges of killing a peace officer, lying in wait, and firing a handgun from a motor vehicle. Salazar pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder allegation earlier on Wednesday, according to Fox 11.
Clinkunbroomer, 30 years old, was found with a gunshot wound in his patrol car outside the sheriff’s Palmdale station and was rushed to a neighboring hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead. He was an officer in charge of field training. “I have personally spoken with the district attorney this morning, and he assures me that they will aggressively pursue this case,” Luna told reporters at a press conference in Palmdale on Monday.
Gascon was not present at the press conference, but he did inform Fox News Digital that the suspect would be pursued. Gascon stated in a statement to Fox News Digital, “He has been in personal contact with Sheriff Luna regarding this investigation, and he made a commitment to Sheriff Luna that his office will aggressively prosecute the suspected killer for this cowardly and senseless attack.” The Crimes Against Peace Officers Division’s deputy district attorneys came the night of the terrible incident and are in close contact with LASD detectives. Gascon’s office will keep the community updated as they engage with law enforcement colleagues on this case.
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Prosecution of Murderers
The district attorney’s so-called “soft on crime” policies have been widely criticized. Jonathan Hatami, one of Gascon’s opponents in the upcoming election, detailed some of Gascon’s policies in a statement made on Monday. When George Gascón took office, he ordered that all prosecutors delete unique circumstances from all current cases. This involves the assassination of an on-duty police officer. “Gascón also directed that all prosecutors remove the allegations of gun use from all cases,” Hatami, a deputy district attorney, said. “There were no exceptions.” These general guidelines apply to all existing and new situations.
When we have the proof, we should prosecute murders that are so horrible that they shock the conscience of the community to the utmost extent of the law. It is mandated by law. According to Hatami, everyone must insist that Gascón fulfill his job. According to Richard Pippin, president of the Association of Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS), the investigation is now in the hands of Gascon.
“We expect him to do what he promised Sheriff Luna he would do and make sure this doesn’t happen to another family,” Pippin said Monday.
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