The 29-year-old individual accused of perpetrating an ambush-style shooting, resulting in the tragic death of Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, 30, last week, formally entered a plea on Wednesday.

In a dual plea, Kevin Cataneo Salazar declared himself not guilty and also asserted a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, CNN reported.

Kevin Cataneo Salazar faces charges of murder, along with specific allegations related to the shooting incident in which Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer was targeted while waiting at a red light in his patrol car.

The fatal attack occurred on a Saturday evening, and Deputy Clinkunbroomer, who had recently become engaged just four days before the incident, was discovered mortally wounded near his sheriff’s station in Palmdale, approximately 60 miles north of Los Angeles.

Cataneo Salazar has denied all the special allegations detailed in the complaint, which specifically accuses him of deliberately using a .22 caliber revolver to carry out the deputy’s killing “by means of lying-in-wait,” signifying an ambush-style attack.

When reached for comment, Cataneo Salazar’s attorney, George Rosenstock, declined to provide any statement regarding the case, as reported by CNN.

Written by staff