Palmdale Deputy Ryan Clinkunboomer shot and killed in an apparent ambush

At approximately 6pm on September 16th a Sheriff’s Deputy assigned to the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station was shot and killed, by what Sheriff Robert Luna described, as an apparent ambush.

Sheriff Luna stated in a press conference that at approximately 6pm, September 16th, Deputy Ryan Clinkunboomer was ambushed at the intersection of Sierra Highway and Avenue Q while sitting in his patrol vehicle and stopped at a red light.

Surveillance video shows a black sedan pull alongside the deputy’s patrol vehicle, then speed away. The deputy’s vehicle is then seen slowly lurching forward. Sheriff Luna urged anyone with information regarding this vehicle to please contact the Sheriff’s Department.

A Good Samaritan stopped to check on the deputy and found him slumped over the steering wheel and unresponsive. The Good Samaritan then ran into the Palmdale Station and alerted staff of the situation. Deputy Clinkunboomer was immediately placed in a patrol vehicle for transport to Antelope Valley Medical Center.

Deputies did meet up with an ambulance on Sierra Highway where the mortally wounded deputy was transferred to the ambulance for the remainder of the transport to the hospital. The deputy was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Killed was Field Training Deputy Ryan Clinkunboomer, 30 who had been with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department for 8 years. Clinkunboomer was a 3rd generation deputy, with his father and grandfather each serving in the LASD. According to Sheriff Luna, Clinkunboomer was engaged to be married just 4 days ago. In addition to his fiancé, Deputy Clinkunboomer leaves behind his parents and grandparents.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact LASD Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500 or contact LA Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or at their website lacrimestoppers.org