Jurors returned a guilty verdict Monday morning in the first-degree murder case involving Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s spokesperson Greg Risling.

Kevin Salazar, 32, was found guilty of murdering Clinkunbroomer, who was fatally shot on Sept. 16, 2023, while sitting in his patrol vehicle outside the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.

Salazar, a Palmdale resident, had previously pleaded not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity in connection with the killing.

A sanity phase of the trial is scheduled to begin Wednesday, according to Risling.

If Salazar is found to have been legally sane at the time of the killing, he could face life in prison. If he is determined to have been legally insane, he would be committed to a state hospital rather than sentenced to prison.

Clinkunbroomer was 30 years old when he was killed and had gotten engaged just four days earlier. He was on duty when a passerby discovered him shot and unconscious inside his patrol vehicle.

Prosecutors said Salazar had been yelling and heckling someone several blocks away shortly before the shooting. He then reportedly drove up alongside Clinkunbroomer as the deputy waited at a red light and opened fire.

Salazar was arrested outside his Palmdale home two days later.

His family has said Salazar has a history of serious mental health issues, including schizophrenia.

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