A Los Angeles sheriff's deputy was shot and killed in his patrol car, officials say

Authorities reported a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy was shot in his patrol car Saturday night and killed.

The LACSD said that a bystander found 30-year-old Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer unconscious in his patrol cruiser near the Palmdale sheriff's station at 6 p.m. Palmdale, 60 miles north of LA.

At a news conference, Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna said the shot deputy, who was on duty, was pronounced dead at a local hospital. 

Who fired on the deputy is unclear without a description. The department wants anyone with shot footage to come forward.

“We need your help. We must remove this person or persons from the street. He endangers public safety. He killed a deputy by ambush.

Luna said it appeared to be a targeted shooting.

“I think it was a targeted act based on what we know now, but we're still in the extremely early stages of this investigation,” Luna added.

Field training officer Clinkunbroomer transferred to the Palmdale sheriff's station in 2018 after eight years with the department.

His father and grandfather were sheriffs. He got engaged four days earlier.

“He was just starting his life,” the sheriff stated.