Newly released footage and audio recordings reveal that 15-year-old Savannah Graziano was fatally shot by deputies during a vehicle pursuit in September 2022. Savannah had been kidnapped by her father, Anthony Graziano, who was believed to have abducted her after killing his wife and firing at a father and child near a school in Fontana, California. The pursuit ended with an extensive exchange of gunfire between deputies and Mr. Graziano.
During the pursuit, Mr. Graziano’s truck came to a stop on an embankment off Interstate 15. In the released footage, a deputy is heard instructing Savannah to exit the truck and come towards him. Gunshots are heard in the background, and moments later, the deputy is heard telling someone to stop shooting her. Despite wearing tactical gear and a helmet, Savannah was shot as she walked towards the deputy, and she was immediately treated by deputies before being taken to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Mr. Graziano, who was also shot by deputies, died at the scene.
The circumstances of Savannah and Mr. Graziano’s deaths were not initially disclosed by the Sheriff’s Department, which had raised the possibility that Savannah may have participated in the shooting. The California Department of Justice is now investigating the incident, which has raised questions about the deputies’ use of force and the events that led to Savannah’s tragic death. The sheriff’s department declined to comment on the matter, and the release of the footage and recordings has shed light on the sequence of events that unfolded during the pursuit.
The released footage and audio recordings, which were obtained by journalist Joey Scott through a records request, provide a glimpse into the chaotic and harrowing moments of the vehicle pursuit that ultimately led to Savannah’s death. The recordings capture the intense exchange of gunfire between deputies and Mr. Graziano, as well as the tragic moments that followed as Savannah followed the deputy’s instructions to exit the truck. The footage has sparked outrage and further scrutiny of law enforcement’s actions during high-stakes situations like this one.
The tragic death of Savannah Graziano has raised concerns about the use of force by law enforcement officers and the protocols in place for handling dangerous situations involving armed individuals. The circumstances surrounding Savannah’s death, as well as the actions taken by deputies during the pursuit, are under intense scrutiny and investigation by the California Department of Justice. The release of the footage and audio recordings has provided valuable insight into the events leading up to Savannah’s death, and has prompted calls for accountability and transparency in how law enforcement agencies handle such incidents. The investigation into Savannah’s death and the actions of the deputies involved continues to unfold, as the community seeks answers and justice for the young girl who lost her life in a tragic and violent encounter.
