Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Ambushed, Killed in Patrol Car

Sheriff Robert Luna provides update on incident where a deputy was shot while inside his patrol car. (Credit: YouTube/Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department)

Horrific news out of Los Angeles, as authorities confirm a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy was shot and killed in an apparent ambush Saturday evening

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy has died after an ambush shooting on Saturday night.

Authorities received reports of the shooting around 6 p.m. near the intersection of Sierra Avenue and Avenue Q.

The deputy killed was identified as Ryan Clinkunbroomer, 30. He joined LASD’s Palmdale station in 2018 and served as a field training officer for nearly two years.

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Sources tell RedState the deputy was in his patrol car just down the street from the station when he was shot. A citizen walked into the station and advised deputies at the counter that there was a radio car with a deputy slumped over his wheel at the corner of Sierra and Avenue Q. Deputies ran out and found Clinkunbroomer slumped over with a small caliber wound/hole to the back of his head behind the left ear.

Clinkunbroomer was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries. The 30-year-old had reportedly just gotten engaged four days prior. He is survived by his fiancée, parents, and grandparents. Both his father and grandfather served as LASD deputies. 

Late Saturday evening, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna gave a press conference regarding the incident and what is known thus far.  

Luna indicated he believes this was a targeted act, though he is unsure whether it was targeted specifically at Clinkunbroomer or the department. A suspect has not yet been identified. Authorities are requesting the public's assistance in identifying and locating the suspect. 

Asked about the vehicle shown in security video next to the patrol car, Luna stated that (as of the time of the press conference) they were not putting the video out because they were not sure it was involved. 

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Fox News' Bill Melugin had more information regarding the security footage. 

Per security video of the ambush shared w/ me by multiple law enforcement sources, a black car pulls up alongside the LASD deputy’s vehicle at red light. You can’t see shots fired, but the black vehicle then drives away, deputy’s vehicle slowly rolls forward, then comes to stop.

A law enforcement procession was held for Clinkunbroomer in the early hours of Sunday morning. 

Luna issued the following statement regarding Deputy Clinkunbroomer on X (formerly Twitter) early Sunday morning: 

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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.

This is a developing story. RedState will provide additional information as it becomes available. 

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