UPDATED: Unarmed teen girl in possible kidnap case killed in shootout with California cops

Sheriff confirms the girl died in a police shootout after they issued an Amber Alert earlier in the day

Published September 28, 2022 3:30PM (EDT)
Updated September 30, 2022 4:07PM (EDT)
Law enforcement vehicles surrounded the vehicle driven by Anthony John Graziano, 45, following a gun battle with the man on the 15 freeway in Victorville Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. (Will Lester/MediaNews Group/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin via Getty Images)
Law enforcement vehicles surrounded the vehicle driven by Anthony John Graziano, 45, following a gun battle with the man on the 15 freeway in Victorville Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. (Will Lester/MediaNews Group/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin via Getty Images)

CORRECTION: This story has been updated twice to reflect new reporting on this incident. Earlier versions of the story stated that Savannah Graziano was the victim of a kidnapping, and was shot and killed by sheriff's deputies as she ran toward them seeking protection. Police now say it is unclear whether Savannah Graziano was abducted by her father or traveled with him willingly, and authorities are reportedly now investigating whether she was shot by her father, the deputies or both.

An unarmed 15-year-old California girl who had been reported as a possible kidnap victim was killed on Tuesday in a shootout with sheriff's deputies, apparently while running toward them. 

After 45-year-old Anthony Graziano, Savannah's father, shot and killed his wife on Monday, authorities issued an Amber Alert out on Monday warning that he had kidnapped his daughter and was on the run. Police now say, however, they are not sure whether Savannah was abducted or went with her father willingly. She had reportedly been living with him.

According to police, Graziano killed his estranged wife, 45-year-old Tracy Martinez, near an elementary school in Fontana, California, about 45 miles east of Los Angeles. The area was locked down and Graziano apparently fled the scene with Savannah.

The next morning, a witness spotted Graziano's Nissan pickup truck in a rural desert area near Barstow, California, and notified police, leading to an extensive chase and shootout on Interstate 15 near Victorville around 11:15 a.m.

Sheriff's deputies involved in the pursuit said that Graziano was shooting at them "constantly" through his rearview window and police responded with gunfire of their own.

Graziano was killed in the shootout. Savannah apparently attempted to flee the vehicle and was running toward the deputies when she was shot. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said she was wearing "tactical gear" and that deputies did not recognize her. She was later transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead around noon.


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During a news conference on Tuesday, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said the investigation was in its beginning stages and emphasized that all information is preliminary. Dicus did not confirm who had fired the shot that ultimately killed Savannah, saying that there were "indications" that she had been involved the shooting and may have "[fired] back at the deputies." Both the sheriff's department and the state of California are now investigating this incident.


By Samaa Khullar

Samaa Khullar is a former news fellow at Salon with a background in Middle Eastern history and politics. She is a graduate of New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism institute and is pursuing investigative reporting.

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