A tragic incident in California in 2022 resulted in the death of a teenage girl, Savannah Graziano, who was kidnapped by her father, Anthony Graziano. The incident occurred when deputies pursued Mr. Graziano’s truck for roughly 70 miles on Highway 15. Shots were fired from both the driver’s side and passenger’s side of the truck during the pursuit. Eventually, the truck stopped in Hesperia, where Mr. Graziano had previously shot and killed his estranged wife, Tracy Martinez, Savannah’s mother. Savannah was just steps away from reaching safety with a deputy when she was mistakenly shot and killed amid the gunfire.
The video and audio footage of the incident was released by the San Bernardino County sheriff’s department following public records requests by news outlets. The footage recorded by a sheriff’s helicopter and witness dashboard cameras shows Savannah running towards a deputy while following their commands. Despite being unarmed and appearing to surrender, she was shot by other deputies from a higher elevation as she got up from a crouch and started moving towards the deputy. The deputies also mistakenly fired on her father, resulting in the deaths of both Savannah and Mr. Graziano.
The sheriff’s department has not released autopsy results for Savannah, her father, or her mother, and has not identified the deputies involved in the shooting. The state’s Department of Justice is investigating the incident, as required by state law in officer-involved shootings resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian. Four sheriff’s department vehicles were struck by gunfire during the pursuit, and deputies seized multiple firearms, rounds, flash bangs, smoke grenades, body armor, and tactical helmets from Mr. Graziano’s truck.
Tragically, Savannah witnessed her mother’s killing from the backseat of her father’s truck but did not jump out to help her. Mr. Graziano also fired at others near an elementary school during the incident, causing students and parents to seek cover. It was revealed that Mr. Graziano had moved out of the family home during his divorce from Martinez, and Savannah went with him while her younger brother stayed with their mother. The incident highlights the tragedy of domestic violence and the devastating impact it can have on families.
The shooting of Savannah Graziano has raised questions about law enforcement’s response and the use of deadly force during high-stakes situations. The video footage shows the chaotic and tense nature of the incident, with deputies trying to apprehend a suspect who had already committed a heinous crime. The mistaken shooting of an unarmed teenager adds to the complexity of the situation and underscores the need for thorough investigations into officer-involved shootings. The community and the families involved are left grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event and seeking answers and justice for the victims.
