On-duty Los Angeles County deputy shot, killed in police cruiser

Sept. 17 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is investigating the killing of an on-duty officer who was shot while driving their police cruiser in Palmdale, Calif.

The shooting occurred on Saturday at about 6 p.m., Sheriff Robert Luna said during a press conference early Sunday morning. The officer, 30-year-old Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, was found unconscious by a good Samaritan at the intersection of the Sierra Highway and Avenue Q.

Clinkunbroomer was transported to the Antelope Valley Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

"I think it was a targeted act based on what we know now," Luna said. "He was just driving down the street. For no apparent reason, and we're still looking into the specific reasons, somebody decided to shoot and murder him, I'm assuming at this point because he was in uniform."

Clinkunbroomer was a third-generation officer with the sheriff's department. He has served with the department since 2018.

Investigators are seeking the public's help in the ongoing investigation.

It is unclear if more than one person was involved, according to Luna. He believes the incident may have been captured on surveillance video and homicide investigators are aware of a video circulating that may be relevant.

"We're going to catch this person who did this," Luna said. "Because every resource that the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has to bear is going after you. Somebody saw something. Somebody knows something. There is a family here at this hospital that is grieving tonight an unimaginable loss. We need your help."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the department's homicide investigators at 323-890-5500, or share an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.