“Schizophrenic” man Kevin Salazar, 29, accused of shooting Los Angeles deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer pleads not guilty by reason of insanity
- Kevin Salazar, 29, was arrested Monday morning at a home in Palmdale.
- Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, 30, was shot and killed over the weekend
- Salazar’s family says he is diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia
The alleged killer of Los Angeles police officer Ryan Clinkunbroomer has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Kevin Salazar, 29, was arrested Monday morning at a Palmdale home after an hours-long standoff with police — just 36 hours after Deputy Clinkunbroomer, 30, was shot and killed while on duty .
Clinkunbroomer was found shot to death near the intersection of Sierra Highway and Avenue Q in Palmdale over the weekend, in what authorities said was a targeted ambush.
Salazar’s family said he had a history of mental health problems; his sister Jessica said, “He wasn’t in his right state of mind” when he shot the officer, who had gotten engaged just days before he was shot.
“My brother suffered from schizophrenia. He suffered from paranoia,” Jessica said.
Kevin Salazar, 29, was arrested Monday morning at a Palmdale home after an hours-long standoff with police.
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 pleas Wednesday of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity.
If Salazar is found guilty, there will be a second trial to decide whether or not he is insane. If a jury finds he is insane, he will be sent to a hospital or state facility for treatment.
Salazar’s mother, Marle, also claimed that the alleged killer was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic several years ago. She said she even called the sheriff’s department at least once when he refused to take his medication and became aggressive.
“My son has a mental illness and if he did something, he was not at his peak mental capacity,” she told the Los Angeles Times. “They only say he was the one who shot the deputy, but no one says he has a criminal record for needing mental help.”
Despite his history of mental health issues, Marle confirmed that Salazar owned a gun.
Salazar was with relatives at the family home after the shooting, and his mother said he did not appear nervous and showed no signs of involvement in the shooting.
Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference announcing the arrest that community leaders came forward with information that led them to the suspect and his vehicle.