Active Model Serial Killer in Los Angeles? 2 dead in a week

A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy was "ambushed" and killed in his patrol car by an unknown person Saturday. Authorities suspect the deputy was targeted simply because "he was in uniform."

Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, 30, was found unconscious in his car at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sheriff Robert Luna told reporters at a late-night news conference. The bystander called 911, and Clinkunbroomer was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound. He did not survive.

Authorities have not identified a suspect. Luna said that no theory had been eliminated for the shooter's motive but that it appeared the deputy was targeted because "he was in uniform."

"He was just driving down the street, and for no apparent reason — and we’re still looking into the specific reasons — somebody decided to shoot and murder him," Luna said.

Clinkunbroomer had just left the Palmdale station, and his car was found nearby at the intersection of Sierra Highway and Avenue Q. Law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation said Sunday that a video clip that shows a car pulling alongside the patrol car before it speeds away is a focus in the investigation.

There have been few leads as detectives question whether Clinkunbroomer was targeted or whether the shooter was seeking any person in uniform driving a patrol car to attack, a source said. Investigators are looking for additional video that may match what appears to be the moment of the ambush.

“Detectives are in the initial stages of this investigation and seeking the public’s assistance to apprehend this suspect,” Luna said Saturday. “So I’m going to continue with my notes, but I’m just going to pause — we really need your help.”

On Sunday, the department said in a statement it was searching for a car apparently seen in that video: a dark-colored 2006 to 2012 Toyota Corolla. The department characterized the sedan as a "vehicle of interest."

Richard Pippin, the president of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, described Clinkunbroomer's death as an "unprovoked execution" in a statement Sunday.

"We all suffer immeasurable loss when cowardly acts of murder such as this are committed," Pippin said. "We are left reeling from this incomprehensible tragedy. I assure you that every law enforcement officer in the region is focused on relentlessly pursuing these criminals until justice is served."

If the perpetrators are not punished for their behavior, they are effectively free to launch new attacks and this leniency can be perceived as an encouragement to commit other crimes. Impunity therefore erodes human rights and justice as a whole. Jan 6, 2017