Unveiled Footage Stirs Debate: Amber Alert Teen, Her Abductor Killed by Police

In a revelation that has sent shockwaves across California, new audio and video evidence has uncovered the unsettling truth about a tragic incident that occurred in September 2022. A 15-year-old girl at the center of an Amber Alert ended up losing her life, not due to the criminal actions of her kidnapper, but from gunfire by the very officers tasked with her rescue.

The traumatic sequence of events began when Anthony Graziano, aged 45, allegedly kidnapped his daughter, Savannah Graziano, after murdering her mother, Tracy Martinez. The next day, a high-speed police chase ensued along the I-15 highway after the authorities identified Graziano’s vehicle.

Upon reaching Hesperia, California, near Victorville, Graziano’s immobilized truck finally came to a halt on the shoulder of the interstate. The police surrounded the vehicle with Graziano in the driver seat and Savannah on the passenger side.

Savannah then got out of the truck, reportedly dressed in tactical gear but apparently unarmed. As she was heading toward the police, the site was filled with the sound of gunfire once again. Both father and daughter were fatally wounded.

Initial reports presented by San Bernardino Sheriff Shannon Dicus revealed that shots were fired from inside Graziano’s truck during the standoff, with “several rounds” piercing “the windshield of the patrol unit.” Further, speculative suggestions were raised on whether Savannah herself fired at the police officers or whether the officers acted in self-defense.

The case took a surprising turn 18 months post the incident when San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department released police audio and video footage of the shooting. This evidence confirmed the unfortunate truth – it was indeed police gunfire that led to Savannah’s untimely death. However, the exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still under review.

The helicopter footage shows an officer stating over the radio that shots were fired as the truck halted. Moments later, Savannah is seen exiting the vehicle, walking towards the police, and collapsing after being hit by at least one bullet.

An officer’s exclamation of “Oh, no!” is heard on the recorded footage.

Further audio captured by a ground deputy provides additional insight into the tense moments leading up to the fatal shooting. “Come here! Come here! Come to me! Come to me!” the deputy is heard instructing the ‘passenger’ to exit the vehicle and approach him.

In a matter of seconds, the situation escalates, with the deputy pleading with his fellow officers to stop firing – “Stop! Stop shooting her! He’s in the car! Stop!”. Despite these frantic pleas, it was too late for Savannah. After failed life-saving attempts on the scene, she was rushed to a hospital, only to be pronounced dead upon arrival. It has since been confirmed that both Savannah and her father succumbed to injuries caused by law enforcement gunfire.

The incident is still under investigation by the California Department of Justice and the sheriff’s office, with the identities of the deputies involved being withheld. Authorities maintain that the released video and audio footage are preliminary and the investigation’s progress may alter the current understanding of the incident.

Reflecting on the heartbreaking loss, Savannah’s uncle, CJ Wyatt, expressed his belief that his niece’s death was a tragedy that could have been prevented. Wyatt emphasized the need for improved training to ensure such incidents do not repeat. “There needs to be better training so that unarmed people aren’t killed,” Wyatt urged the Guardian. “Hopefully, this video can be used for training – something has to be done differently. She didn’t have to die”.

Watch a local news report about the incident below:

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