LOS ANGELES, Sept 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — A deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has died after being shot while sitting in a patrol vehicle in Palmdale on Saturday, his office said.
“At approximately 6 p.m. an LASD Palmdale Deputy was found in medical distress in front of Palmdale Sheriff Station,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement on social media.
Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer was 30 years old.
Clinkunbroomer, who was in uniform, was working in a patrol car from the Palmdale sheriff’s station when he was discovered unconscious in his vehicle by a good Samaritan, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a media briefing Sunday.
They immediately reported it to the Palmdale station personnel. Clinkunbroomer was transported to the Antelope Valley Medical Center, where he was treated for a gunshot wound, but later died from his injuries, Luna said.
Authorities have not publicly named a suspect or motive in the case, but Luna said he believes the shooting was targeted.
No arrests have been made.
In a press conference Sunday evening, Luna described a dark-gray 2006-2012 Toyota Corolla as a “vehicle of interest” that was seen near the deputy’s car at the time of the incident.
Luna pleaded with the public to check their cameras for clues to who the suspect or suspects may be in Clinkunbroomer’s shooting death.
Sheriff’s station cameras caught the incident, according to Luna.
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors, the city of Palmdale and Rich Pippin, the vice president of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, are offering a $250,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the suspect or suspects, according to the L.A. County sheriff.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Lt Gov. Eleni Kounalakis sent condolences to Clinkunbroomer’s loved ones and those with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, saying he “selflessly” served his community.
Clinkunbroomer was an eight-year veteran of the LASD, Luna said on X. — NNN-AGENCIES