Golden State Today

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a report on the officer-involved shooting that resulted in the deaths of Anthony and Savannah Graziano in Hesperia, California, on September 27, 2022. This incident involved the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department (SBSD) and was reviewed under Assembly Bill 1506, which mandates DOJ investigations of any officer-involved shootings that result in the death of an unarmed civilian in California.

Attorney General Rob Bonta released a statement acknowledging the gravity of the situation: “This was a tragic situation with a tragic outcome that grieved the local community and California as a whole," Bonta said. He emphasized the intent of the report: "This report was quite difficult to publish, and I sincerely hope it provides the community with the answers they've been waiting for." Bonta expressed the DOJ's goal to work in partnership with law enforcement to create a fair legal environment.

The incident initially unfolded when Anthony Graziano shot and killed his wife, Tracy Martinez, on September 26, 2022, in Fontana, California, as she attempted to escape from his vehicle. Their daughter, Savannah, was present during this event. Following this, Anthony Graziano fled with Savannah, prompting an Amber Alert.

The next day, the Nissan Frontier driven by Graziano was spotted, resulting in a 41-mile pursuit led by SBSD deputies. During the chase, shots were fired from Graziano’s vehicle. The vehicle eventually stopped, and Savannah exited wearing tactical gear. As she approached a deputy, other deputies fired, resulting in her death. Anthony Graziano was found deceased in the vehicle's driver’s seat.

The DOJ's investigation concluded that there is not enough evidence to charge the deputies criminally for their actions, as it was found that their response was based on a reasonable belief of imminent danger. Consequently, no further legal action will be pursued against the deputies.

The DOJ report included policy recommendations for the SBSD. The first two recommendations suggested refresher training for deputies on crossfire, fields of fire, and command communications during incidents involving lethal force. The SBSD has since implemented training to address these. Additionally, the DOJ recommends that the SBSD equip its patrol vehicles with in-car video systems and update policies on body-worn cameras.

A full copy of the DOJ report is available to the public for further review.