The man accused of shooting and killing a Sheriff’s Deputy faces murder charges in Southern California. In a Lancaster courtroom on Wednesday, 29-year-old Kevin Salazar pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges related to the ambush shooting of Los Angeles County Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer.
Salazar appeared in court with his hands shackled to his hips, and he appeared to be wearing a bullet-proof vest.
His family says Salazar has paranoid schizophrenia and was off his medications on the night of the shooting.
Kevin Cantaneo Salazar, 29, was charged with one count of murder. District Attorney George Gascón said the murder charge includes three special-circumstance allegations.
Gascón also repeated his previous opposition against seeking the death penalty in general.
“If I thought that seeking the death penalty was gonna bring Ryan back to us, I will seek it without any reservation,” Gascón said. “But it won’t.”