Palmadale, California—— A Los Angeles County deputy was shot and killed in his patrol car in what authorities said was an ambush in Palmdale. The shooter remained at large Sunday.
Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, a 30-year-old field training officer, was shot Saturday outside the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station at the corner of Sierra Highway and Avenue Q.
Sheriff Robert Luna said a good Samaritan found the deputy unconscious in the car around 6 p.m.
Clinquin Blumer was quickly transported to Antelope Valley Medical Center in Lancaster, where he later died.
A procession from the hospital briefly closed local highways overnight while deputies escorted his body to the Los Angeles County coroner.
Luna said Clinquin Blumer’s death is being investigated as a homicide and the public’s help is being sought.
“We really need your help,” Luna said. “We need to get this man off the streets, one or more. He is a threat to public safety. He ambushed, killed, murdered one of our deputies. We need your help to get him off the streets.”
Although a description of the suspect was not immediately available, Luna said he believed the shooting was captured on video.
“Homicide investigators are aware of a video that is circulating and are analyzing it to determine if it is related to our deputy’s murder,” Luna said.
Who is the deputy minister. Ryan Klinkunblummer?
Clinquin Blumer is an eight-year veteran of the department and has worked at the Palmdale station since July 2018, according to Luna.
He has been serving as a field training officer for the past year and a half.
“Not just anyone can be a field training officer, it’s usually the best person,” Luna said.
Clinquin Blumer clearly comes from a law enforcement family. Luna said his grandfather and father both worked for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
“He has service flowing through his veins … it’s so unfair,” Luna said. “He embodied the values of bravery, selflessness and an absolute commitment to justice.”
Luna also said Clinquin Blumer had just celebrated an engagement about four days before he was killed.
“His life was just beginning,” Luna said.
The manhunt is in progress
Luna said a number of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies have offered to assist in the investigation. However, he is urging members of the public to come forward, especially those who may have been in the area at the time of the shooting.
“Someone knows something,” Luna said.
When asked by reporters whether the shooting could have been a targeted attack, Luna noted that the investigation was still in its early stages but said “nothing is off the table.”
“Based on what we know now, I believe this was a targeted act, but we’re still in the very early stages of the investigation,” he said.
Palmdale Mayor Laura Bettencourt also spoke to reporters and asked anyone with information to come forward.
