Preparedness
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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Preparedness
Concealed Carrier Defends Against Alleged Threat in Road Rage Incident
A recent road rage incident in Illinois escalated to gunfire when a concealed-carrying motorist felt threatened by an approaching individual. The confrontation unfolded at the intersection of Busey Avenue and Park Street in Urbana, drawing a swift response from local police.
The altercation began as a verbal dispute between a man driving alone and a couple in another vehicle. Tensions rose when the solo driver attempted to distance himself from the pursuing pair by pulling into a hospital emergency room parking lot before exiting onto Park Street.
As the situation intensified, the couple continued their pursuit, stopping their car at Park Street. The female driver armed herself with a baseball bat, while her male passenger approached the lone motorist.
The solo driver, who held a concealed-carry permit, reported that the approaching male appeared to have his hand under his shirt, suggesting he might be armed. In response, the driver drew his legally concealed firearm and fired multiple shots, striking the male passenger.
Following the shooting, the driver promptly called 911 to report the incident. The injured male was transported to a local hospital, where he underwent surgery and was placed in intensive care.
Authorities are actively investigating the incident, and no arrests have been made at this time. The police encourage anyone with information to come forward, offering options for private discussions or anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Preparedness
Mom’s Bold Confrontation Sparks Gunfire at Popeyes Showdown
In Jacksonville, Florida, a mother took matters into her own hands to confront an 18-year-old man who was allegedly engaging in inappropriate text exchanges with her 13-year-old daughter. The confrontation, which took place at a local Popeyes restaurant, escalated dramatically and ended with the suspect being shot.
According to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Chief of Investigations Alan Parker, the suspect, Cerry Rodriques Banks, had been involved in “an inappropriate text relationship with a 13-year-old female.” Upon discovering these communications, the girl’s mother decided to intervene directly. She assumed her daughter’s identity by using her phone to communicate with Banks, setting up a meeting with him at the restaurant early on a Sunday morning.
When Banks arrived, he was expecting to meet the young girl but was instead confronted by the mother, her daughter, and her 11-year-old son. During the encounter, Banks allegedly pulled out a gun and ominously warned the mother, “When you hear the shots tonight, you know what’s up.”
The mother quickly ushered her children into the safety of the Popeyes and alerted the authorities. Despite having the opportunity to leave the scene, Banks remained outside the restaurant. When police officers arrived, they instructed Banks to “turn around and show his hands,” but he ignored the commands and attempted to flee.
“As the officer reaches the corner of the business, he observes the suspect pull the pistol from his waistband,” Parker explained. The officer, who has seven years of experience, ordered Banks to drop the weapon. When Banks did not comply, the officer fired, hitting Banks multiple times.
“The suspect continues to flee and, near a neighboring business, drops the gun,” Parker added. Banks managed to escape temporarily but was later captured in a drainage tunnel with the help of a K-9 unit. He sustained injuries to his hand, torso, and possibly his leg, and was provided medical care before being transported to a hospital.
Authorities recovered the firearm, which had not been discharged during the incident. Banks now faces several charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, lewd and lascivious conduct, unlawful use of a communication device, and traveling to meet a minor for illicit purposes.
Jacksonville Sheriff T. K. Waters acknowledged the mother’s concern for her daughter but emphasized that such situations should be handled by law enforcement. “We’d absolutely love to handle every situation, but this is a mother who’s concerned about her daughter. So, I get it, I understand,” Waters stated. “But, I would say that in most cases, in situations like that, call us and let us come out and deal with the situation, so it doesn’t unfold like this.”
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Preparedness
Concealed-Carry Motorcyclist Defends Against Hammer-Wielding Aggressor
A concealed-carry motorcyclist was involved in a fatal incident in Maryland last week, which police have described as a road-rage confrontation. The motorcyclist, a 22-year-old with a valid Maryland concealed handgun carry permit, was traveling near Maryland Route 10 and Furnace Branch Road when he encountered an aggressive driver.
According to reports, the motorcyclist noticed another vehicle tailgating him and behaving erratically. The situation escalated when the driver, identified as 51-year-old Scott David Guhse, pulled alongside the motorcyclist, shouting at him. The two nearly collided during the encounter.
Anne Arundel County police spokesman Justin Mulcahy explained, “At a certain point, he was sort of forced off the road, and then stopped. He ultimately had to lay down his bike.” The confrontation reached a critical point when both individuals stopped on East Furnace Branch Road at Margate Drive.
It was there that Guhse allegedly charged at the motorcyclist with a hammer. In response, the motorcyclist drew his handgun and fired, resulting in Guhse’s death at the scene, according to fire officials. The motorcyclist remained at the scene following the incident, cooperating with authorities.
“I heard a pop. I thought it sounded like gunfire,” Hyung Chang, owner of Against Our Odds Vape Shop in Glen Burnie, recounted. “Ten to 15 minutes later, started having police and everything show up.”
Chang remarked on the frequency of such incidents in the area, noting, “It’s unfortunate,” and adding that he witnesses similar altercations at least once a month. “People have to learn to tone things down a little bit and not take things so personal,” he advised.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Jake
June 10, 2024 at 12:04 pm
There are already laws in place to protect the public and law enforcement. Police need to follow the law and use deadly force only when perceived, by a reasonable person, to be facing an imminent threat to life or serious injury to self or others. These reasonable conclusions will sometimes be wrong.
Richard
June 10, 2024 at 2:16 pm
All responses should put the safety of minors before the use of deadly force!
Thomas Beardslee
June 10, 2024 at 5:14 pm
Political interference in law enforcement training, by governors and Attorneys General are the cause of such sad outcomes to tactical situations. Use of force protocalls for such instances have long stood the test of time until interfered with by some politician with a political agenda.
Stan
June 10, 2024 at 7:51 pm
Non lethal in this situation probably won’t penetrate the windows and windshields I’m guessing ? However maybe they need more training and more target practice !? Why would they shoot the whole truck up?! They were after him not her !??!
Stephen Carl Kirtland
June 11, 2024 at 1:33 am
Arm chair warriors don’t have the pertinent facts to make a decision in the fraction of a second that these situations require. Mistakes should be paid for, though not criminally unless there is reason to believe the officer(s) acted with criminal intent. Instantaneous decisions are often, if not always, required and people, no matter how well trained or experienced make unintended errors. Only courageous people can be expected to bring a succesful end to violent incidents, but they should not be second guessed by people with nothing to lose by being wrong. No might have beens, should have beens, or could have beens matter in the moment. The time for learning and teaching is not in that moment. Hope is truthfully the only useful emotion when the SHTF.