Savannah Graziano, a 15-year-old who was taken by her father in September 2022, tragically lost her life after being shot by sheriff’s deputies as she followed their instructions and moved towards them on the side of a California highway. The incident took place on Highway 15 in Hesperia, San Bernardino County, almost 24 hours after an Amber Alert was issued for her abduction. Authorities had discovered her mother, Tracy Martinez, shot dead near her Fontana home, with Savannah missing. Her father, Anthony Graziano, was the main suspect in the killing and abduction. He was also reported to have fired at another individual and a child at a nearby school.
The newly released video and audio footage revealed that a civilian spotted Graziano’s truck a day after her disappearance, leading to a pursuit by sheriff’s deputies. The pursuit ended on the side of the highway when Graziano attempted to drive up a steep embankment. As seen in the footage, Graziano fired his weapon towards law enforcement vehicles, prompting deputies to shoot back. Subsequently, Savannah Graziano exited the truck and, following instructions from a deputy, walked towards him. However, she was shot by a deputy’s bullet as she approached. Despite efforts to provide medical aid, Savannah succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, with her father also dying at the scene.
The shooting is currently under investigation by the California Department of Justice. The Sheriff’s Department declined to provide additional comments on the incident. Expert Ed Obayashi, who examines use-of-force incidents, suggested that deputies may have had a different perspective from the video footage.
Journalist Joey Scott received the video and audio footage from the Sheriff’s Department after filing a request under the California Public Records Act. The footage, along with Scott’s reporting, was published in the Guardian. Scott emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in law enforcement actions, stating that the footage raised several questions that needed answers. Ultimately, Scott believes that Savannah Graziano’s death was unnecessary based on the evidence presented.
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