Video shows California police shooting and killing 15-year-old kidnapping victim

A 15-year-old kidnapping victim was shot and killed by police in California as she walked towards them to escape her kidnapping father. A video of the incident in September 2022 was released and caused an uproar.

According to the Daily Mail, 15-year-old Savannah Graziano followed the instructions of the police and walked towards them, and the police, apparently intimidated, shot her.

This happened even as one officer begged the officer to stop shooting.

Savannah was kidnapped after her father, Anthony John Graziano, murdered his estranged wife, Tracy Martinez.

Anthony’s car was stopped by the police, and when Savannah got out of the car and followed the police’s advice, the police shot her.

Even as one officer kept pleading “Don’t shoot her again! He’s in the car! Stop! She’s okay! He’s in the car! …Stop!”

The video was released nearly two years later because sheriff’s deputies blocked its release.

Police earlier claimed 15-year-old Savannah was shot because she was wearing tactical gear and returned fire.

However, the video appears to prove she was unarmed, according to the Daily Mail.

Video of the shooting was released Monday after reporters filed a request under the California Public Records Act.

San Bernardino County deputies tried to stop Anthony Graziano’s truck but were shot by his father, who was armed with a semiautomatic weapon, officials said.

Authorities followed the truck for about 70 miles as the father continued to shoot at them and Graziano tried and failed to drive his car up an embankment.

Police claimed Savannah may have also fired shots from inside the car, the Daily Mail reported.

He eventually stopped on the side of the road about 80 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

Newly released video, including footage from a Sheriff’s Department helicopter, shows Anthony Graziano trying to reverse his car on the road while firing again.

Savannah, 15, then got out of the car and an officer radioed: “The girl is out, the female juvenile is out. She’s on the passenger side.”

She crouched down but began moving quickly toward the police when she heard a gunshot and the camera blurred Graziano’s body.

Sheriff’s deputies were not wearing body cameras, but a nearby officer released the audio as the girl exited the vehicle.

He kept shouting: “Passengers, get out! Come here! Come to me! Come, come, come… go, go, go.”

San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dix initially believed Graziano charged at deputies wearing tactical gear during the shooting.

But aerial footage showed Savannah remained low while accelerating, and her attire was unclear.

One police officer was injured by shrapnel during the fighting.

Officials said Savannah also may have been fired, but that is currently under investigation.

Weapons, ammunition and tactical equipment were found at the scene, all legally owned by Graziano.

Savannah was shot on the spot and Graziano was killed.

The Guardian quoted Savannah’s uncle, CJ Wyatt, as saying: “There needs to be better training so that defenseless people don’t get killed.” He added, “She didn’t have to die.”

Graziano had also earlier shot Savannah’s mother, Martinez.

According to the Daily Mail, Martinez recognized Graziano before his death but did not mention that Savannah was also present.

The Sheriff’s Office did not release further details. The incident is under investigation by the state Department of Justice. Sheriff’s department faces scrutiny over wrongful arrest and death lawsuits.