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
Lawnmower Escape Fails: Bodycam Captures Bizarre Police Pursuit
Recently released bodycam footage reveals a peculiar incident involving a Michigan man who attempted to evade law enforcement on a riding lawn mower. The footage captures the unusual chase and subsequent events that unfolded when the suspect, James Mitchell Kerr, was approached by authorities.
On September 19, officers were dispatched to a residence in Leoni Township with the intention of arresting Kerr, who had multiple outstanding warrants. Upon arriving, the deputy found the 41-year-old suspect operating a riding lawn mower. Despite being ordered to dismount, Kerr allegedly refused to comply.
In a surprising turn, Kerr reportedly accelerated the mower toward the deputy before attempting to flee. The chase, while unconventional, saw the mower eventually come to a halt in a ditch. Even then, Kerr allegedly ignored commands to surrender.
The situation escalated further when Kerr returned to his mower, retrieved a concealed handgun, and aimed it at the deputy. In response, the officer deployed a stun gun, successfully striking Kerr. This action inadvertently caused Kerr to discharge his weapon, resulting in a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his hand.
Kerr was subsequently treated for his injury at a local hospital and later released. Fortunately, the deputy emerged from the incident unharmed.
“This incident underscores how rapidly a seemingly routine encounter can escalate and the potential dangers deputies face daily,” remarked the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. “Thankfully, the deputy was unharmed, and the suspect did not sustain serious injuries.”
Following his medical clearance, Kerr was arrested and released on bail. The case prompted Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette to request an independent investigation by the Michigan State Police, alongside an internal review by the sheriff’s office. The internal investigation concluded that there were no policy violations during the incident.
In October, Kerr faced formal charges and was bound over for trial in circuit court. He remains in custody at the Jackson County Jail, awaiting further legal proceedings.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Preparedness
Unprovoked NYC Stabbing Spree Sparks Safety Concerns
A shocking series of stabbings unfolded in New York City, leading to the deaths of three individuals. The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Ramon Rivera, has a history of multiple arrests and is currently homeless. His arrest came after a cab driver, who witnessed one of the attacks, notified the authorities.
The victims were simply going about their daily routines when they were attacked without warning. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny stated, “Today, we have three innocent New Yorkers, just going about their lives, who were the victim of a terrible, terrible assault.”
The violent spree began at approximately 8:20 a.m. on 19th Street. A 36-year-old man was stabbed in the stomach while standing in front of a construction site. Despite being rushed to Bellevue Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
Just two hours later, another attack occurred on 30th Street near the East River. This time, a 68-year-old man who was fishing was repeatedly stabbed. Unfortunately, he also did not survive, passing away at the same hospital.
The final victim, a 36-year-old woman, was attacked near the United Nations building on East 42nd Street and First Avenue. She was critically injured and taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she later died.
Kenny emphasized the seemingly random nature of these brutal acts, saying, “As of right now, these attacks seemed to be unprovoked. That he just walked up to them and began to attack them with the knives.”
The suspect was apprehended shortly after the third attack. A cab driver, who witnessed the incident, mistakenly thought he was observing a robbery and reported it to the police. Rivera was found with large kitchen knives and blood-stained clothing.
An officer involved in Rivera’s arrest described the scene: “I just heard a commotion. Stepped outside and heard what people were saying and reacted.”
Mayor Eric Adams highlighted systemic issues, describing the incidents as a “clear, clear example of the criminal justice system, mental health system that continues to fail New Yorkers.” The investigation is ongoing, with no additional suspects identified at this time.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
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Preparedness
Gunfire Strikes Plane at Dallas Airport: Security Concerns Rise
A recent incident at Dallas Love Field has raised significant concerns about aviation security after a bullet struck a Southwest Airlines plane near the cockpit while it was taxiing for takeoff. The unexpected event forced an evacuation of the flight, and authorities are actively searching for the person responsible for the gunfire.
“The fact that it hit so very close to the cockpit seems too much of a coincidence,” noted an airport spokesperson.
Flight 2494, which was preparing for departure to Indianapolis, was hit around 8:30 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The plane returned to the gate where passengers disembarked, and fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The runway was temporarily closed as police conducted their investigation. An FBI airport liaison agent has been assigned to collaborate with police and federal partners to ensure a thorough investigation.
Shannon and Jamie Lee, who were on the flight with their children, shared their experience. They recalled the pilot announcing a “rattle outside of the plane” and the need to return to the gate for an inspection. Initially, they believed it was a routine mechanical issue.
Shannon Lee expressed surprise upon learning about the gunfire after landing in Indianapolis, saying, “We had no idea that something happened.”
The couple appreciated Southwest’s handling of the situation but felt passengers should have been informed about the shooting before boarding another flight. Jamie Lee remarked, “I was surprised that they had shut the runway, not really knowing if there were potentially other shots being fired.”
The Lees emphasized the importance of allowing passengers to decide on their safety, with Shannon Lee stating, “You have to give people a choice, whether they want to put their safety at risk a second time in one night.”
Southwest Airlines has since apologized to the Lees and offered a voucher for a future flight. The incident has prompted the Lees to reconsider their travel plans until more is known about the investigation and potential safety improvements.
Armen Kurdian, a retired Navy captain, expressed shock at the incident, saying, “Holy cow, somebody just shot a gun, and it hit a commercial aircraft!” He explained that investigators would focus on determining the bullet’s origin and whether the shot was intentional.
The proximity to the cockpit raises questions about whether it was a targeted attack, as Kurdian noted, “The odds of that happening, I think, got to be really, really high.”
Kurdian also highlighted the potential damage a bullet could cause to an aircraft, ranging from minor issues to more severe impacts on critical systems. Despite the backup systems in place, he acknowledged the security vulnerability this incident exposes.
“Did this put an idea into, say, a non-state or a state actor as, ‘Oh, maybe this is something we can do to disrupt air travel’?” Kurdian pondered.
He suggested that airports and agencies should consider enhanced security measures, such as random sweeps and physical barriers, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Watch a local news report about the incident 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.