A suspect in the slaying of an engaged Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy has been arrested after an hours-long standoff with police Monday morning, officials announced.
Kevin Salazar, 29, was arrested at his home in Palmdale, California, after locking himself inside when police showed up with a warrant for his arrest.
SWAT officers and hostage experts negotiated with Salazar for “several hours” before he finally surrendered when a chemical deterrent was fired into the home, LASD Sheriff Rober Luna said in a news conference.
“Our deputy minister gave this suspect a chance to surrender peacefully. That is not the right that was given to our deputies three days ago here on the street,” said Luna.
Salazar is suspected of driving in the squad car of 30-year-old Ryan Clinkunbroomer — a third-generation LASD officer — before opening fire through the window and killing the deputy in the head Saturday night. Clinkunbroomer had been engaged just four days before his murder.
Clinkunboomer was killed at a red light near the Palmdale sheriff’s station Saturday afternoon. Youtube/Fox 11
Investigators are “very confident we have the right person in custody,” Luna said, but added that the motivation behind the shooting remains unclear.
“We don’t know yet why he was killed,” Luna said, before repeating her earlier suspicion that Clinkunbroomer had been targeted because he was a police officer.
Salazar was arrested 36 hours after the murder. Luna said the community’s tips were important in identifying him through the car seen involved in the murder.
When police arrived at Salazar’s home, several family members willingly left before the fight began. It remains to be seen whether any of them will face charges.
A number of weapons were also removed from Salazar’s house.
Clinkunbroomer was rushed to Antelope Valley Medical Center after the shooting, but died there from his injuries.
Sheriff Robert Luna said during a press conference that he believes this may have been a targeted attack because Clickunboomer was in uniform. Youtube/Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Investigators said they believe Clinkunbroomer was ambushed and executed without any apparent provocation.
Surveillance video obtained by the sheriff’s office shows a dark gray Toyota Corolla pull up to the deputy’s patrol vehicle at a red light shortly before the shooting.
The sheriff’s office has released screenshots of the suspicious vehicle and announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the gunman.
“We’re going to catch the person who did this,” Luna said before Salazar was taken into custody. “Every resource at the disposal of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will come after you.”
In security video released by Fox 11, a dark car is seen pulling up next to the deputy’s patrol car moments before he is believed to have been shot.Youtube/Fox 11
Clinkunbroomer is an eight-year veteran of the team and has been the field training officer for nearly two years.
Both his grandfather and father served in the sheriff’s office before him.
“He embodies the values of courage, selflessness and an absolute commitment to justice,” Luna said. “Our deputy was a loyal family member and beloved member of our community who was cowardly shot while working tirelessly to serve our community. Our hearts truly go out to his family.”
About 1,000 people attended a vigil honoring the slain deputy outside the sheriff’s station in Palmdale on Sunday night.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
