New video released by California law enforcement shows the chaotic high-speed chase that culminated in the death of Savannah Graziano, a kidnapped teen who was fatally shot by police just one day after her father killed her mother.
Deputies were actually searching for 15-year-old Savannah, at the time the center of an Amber Alert, when she was shot and killed on Sept. 27, 2022. They feared she’d been kidnapped by her father, 45-year-old Anthony Graziano, after he murdered his estranged wife, Tracy Martinez, outside a school in Fontana.
Authorities spotted Graziano’s vehicle on Interstate 15 near the desert town of Barstow, about 90 miles northeast of Los Angeles, the next day. When they finally caught up to him, he reportedly sped off with Savannah in the passenger seat. Police noted that multiple gunshots were fired at both police and other vehicles during their harrowing pursuit.
In a series of clips released by the California State Highway Patrol, Savannah, wearing a helmet and tactical gear, can be seen exiting the vehicle and complying with officers’ orders, ABC 7 reported. She starts off crawling toward them on the ground, then, at their command, stands and begins to walk in their direction. Other deputies at a higher vantage point, however, only saw a person exit the vehicle and move toward deputies, prompting them to shoot.
“Oh no,” one deputy can be heard saying.
Another calls out: “Hey, stop, stop shooting her! He’s in the car. Stop.”
Savannah was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead. Her father was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police at the time said they had reason to believe two people were shooting from inside Graziano’s vehicle, contributing to the confusion and chaos.
“Based on the information, evidence suggests that Savannah Graziano was a participant in shooting at our deputies,” Sheriff Shannon Dicus said at the time.
Multiple firearms were later recovered from the vehicle, as well as hundreds of rounds of ammunition, flash bang and smoke grenades, body armor and tactical helmets, the department said. Savannah was not armed at the time of her death.
An investigation, helmed by the the California Department of Justice, is ongoing.
