Abducted Teen Shot to Death by Police While Fleeing Kidnapper's Car—Sheriff

A 15-year-old girl from California was shot and killed by police after fleeing from her kidnapper, according to authorities.

Earlier this week, the Fontana Police Department in California issued a press release about the abduction of 15-year-old Savanna Graziano.

Police said she had been taken by her 45-year-old father Anthony John Graziano. The father was also a suspect in the shooting and killing of his wife and Savanna Graziano's mother, Tracy Martinez, on Monday.

Savanna Graziano was wearing body armor when she was shot by police, and authorities have launched a wider investigation into whether she was also armed when she raced towards police.

"On Monday, September 26, 2022, at approximately 7:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to a shots fired call in the area of Cypress Avenue/Mallory Drive," the press release read.

"Officers arrived and found an adult female suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

"The female was transported to a local trauma center, where she was pronounced deceased.

"This was a domestic violence incident. The suspect 45-year-old Anthony John Graziano, is considered armed and dangerous. It is believed he is with his 15-year old daughter Savana Graziano."

Police also gave a description of the vehicle Anthony Graziano was suspected to be traveling in, which a member of the public eventually spotted.

When police were alerted to his location with his daughter, a police chase ensued, according to the San Bernardino Sheriff, Shannon Dicus, who held a press conference on Tuesday following the shooting of both Anthony Graziano and his daughter.

"Barstow Deputies were dispatched to the area of Highway 395 and Highway 58 where the vehicle was seen," Dicus said.

"As the deputies arrive they encountered the suspect's vehicle, a pursuit ensued and as a result of that pursuit, the suspect immediately starts firing at our deputies, putting several rounds through the windshield of the patrol unit.

The Sheriff noted that the suspect continued to fire at deputies and was able to disengage a unit that had joined the chase. After becoming partially cornered by multiple authorities involved in the chase, a fire fight erupts.

"The suspect vehicle comes to rest at which a subject exits the passenger side of the vehicle wearing tactical gear.

"That subject starts to run towards Sheriff's deputies and during the gunfire goes down.

"Sherriff's deputies immediately go to clear the vehicle, make it safe and render medical aid.

"At which time they contact the subject wearing the tactical gear and we believe that both the suspect in the vehicle and the person who was in the tactical gear ... was the 15-year old juvenile, Savannah.

"The suspect, we believe is Anthony Graziano in the driving seat of the car. This all still needs to be confirmed and is preliminary information."

After answering questions, Dicus did confirm that only one gun was located by police. He described the gun as an assault rifle type weapon but again insisted this is preliminary information.

He also added that there "may be some indication" that the passenger of the vehicle, Savannah, was involved in the shooting prior to her death. He also confirmed that police were not immediately aware that the person who exited the passenger vehicle was Savannah Graziano and said she was also wearing a tactical helmet.

Newsweek has contacted the San Bernardino Sherriff's Office and the Fontana Police Department for comment.