The heartbroken new fiancee of a slain Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy is upset as she pays tribute to “the best man I’ve ever met” — as authorities reveal they are not seeking the death penalty for the man accused of killing her in a squad car.
Brittany Lindsey recalls the nightmare of losing her partner of 30 years, Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, in an ambush just days after they got engaged.
“Ryan is the best man I’ve ever met,” Lindsey said at a news conference Wednesday with Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón and Sheriff Robert Luna.
“I am very happy to be able to love him. It’s not long enough.”
The grief-stricken fiance held back tears as the DA and sheriff announced several charges against Kevin Cataneo Salazar, 29, in connection with Saturday night’s fatal shooting.
Authorities say Cataneo Salazar allegedly stalked the deputy as he left the Palmdale sheriff’s station around 6 p.m. and got into his patrol car.
Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer’s fiancee, Brittany Lindsey, is comforted by Sheriff Robert Luna as she talks about her slain partner. AP
Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer was shot to death Saturday night allegedly by 29-year-old Kevin Cataneo Salazar. X/Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Clinkunbroomer was “waiting for a red light to turn” when Cataneo Salazar ambushed him and shot him in the head just a block from the station, the sheriff alleged.
Authorities have said the deputy was “targeted” but would not say if Cataneo Salazar wanted to harm Clinkunbroomer specifically or any member of law enforcement, in general.
Prosecutors have yet to state a motive in the case.
Although the sheriff said Wednesday that he hopes for “no less than the maximum penalty available under the law,” district attorneys have indicated they will not seek the death penalty.
“If I thought that getting the death penalty would bring Ryan back to us, I would get it without reservation,” Gascón said.
“But it won’t.”
Brittany Lindsey is comforted by loved ones as she recounts the nightmare of losing her partner of 30 years, Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, in the ambush. AP
“We will do everything in our power to make sure the defendant never gets out of prison,” the DA added.
Cataneo Salazar is charged with one count of murder, plus special circumstance allegations of murder of a peace officer, murder by waiting, murder by firing squad and personal use of a firearm.
His attorney, George Rosenstock, entered a plea of not guilty and two pleas of not guilty by reason of insanity on his behalf during his arraignment Wednesday.
The perp’s mother, Marle Salazar, told the Los Angeles Times that her son was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia about five years ago.
The suspect, Kevin Cataneo Salazar, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity during his arraignment on Wednesday. AP
He said Cataneo Salazar would remember hearing voices in his head and would sometimes claim that cars or people were following him. He twice tried to kill himself, he added.
“My son is mentally ill, and if he does something, he’s not in full mental capacity,” she said.
Cataneo Salazar is being held without bail and is scheduled to return to court in November.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
