In a tragic incident labelled as an “ambush” by officials, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed while seated in his patrol car outside a sheriff’s station in Palmdale, California. Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, 30 years old, was in uniform and on duty at the time.
Sheriff Robert Luna condemned the Saturday night attack, describing it as a “murder” and a “targeted attack” against Deputy Clinkunbroomer simply because he was a dedicated police officer serving his community, located approximately 55 miles (90 km) northeast of Los Angeles.
The deputy was discovered critically injured behind the wheel of his patrol cruiser around 6 p.m. by a passerby who promptly called for assistance. Despite efforts, Clinkunbroomer, who had served on the force for eight years, tragically succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
During a late-night news conference, Sheriff Luna appealed to the public to provide any available video footage that might shed light on the incident.
Deputy Clinkunbroomer, who had recently become engaged, continued a legacy of law enforcement, being a third-generation member following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, as mentioned by the sheriff on social media.
This devastating attack adds to a concerning trend, with the National Fraternal Order of Police reporting 83 ambush-style attacks on police officers in the United States this year, resulting in 15 fatalities from gunfire.
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