A man accused of fatally shooting a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy last year in Palmdale will be tried on suspicion of murder, a judge ordered Thursday at a preliminary hearing.
Kevin Cataneo Salazar, 29, admitted to killing Officer Ryan Clinkunbroomer in September, according to law enforcement sources who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the investigation.
Cataneo Salazar allegedly shot Clinkunbroomer in the back of the head while both men were in their vehicles at a traffic light near the sheriff's station in Palmdale.
He was charged last year with one count of murder with special circumstances of stalking, drive-by shooting and personal use of a firearm, according to the criminal complaint. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Agents identified Cataneo Salazar as the main suspect 36 hours after the murder, when community members presented information about a vehicle of interest. The vehicle took officers to his home on the east side of Palmdale.
Cataneo Salazar was arrested after an hours-long standoff with authorities, during which he barricaded himself inside his home.
His mother previously told The Times that his son hears voices and had been hospitalized twice for mental health crises. Experts say California law should have prohibited him from purchasing a gun.
Clinkunbroomer, 30, had recently gotten engaged to be married. Cataneo Salazar will appear in court for his arraignment on June 27.
