Father, Teen Daughter Die In Gunfight With Inland Empire Deputies

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA — A man accused of shooting and killing his wife before abducting the couple's 15-year-old daughter Monday morning was gunned down Tuesday in Hesperia by San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies. The man's teen daughter — who was wearing a tactical helmet and body armor — was also killed in the high-desert firefight, Sheriff Shannon D. Dicus said during a Tuesday afternoon news conference in Hesperia.

Anthony John Graziano, 45, died in the shootout with deputies along Interstate 15 near the Main Street exit in Hesperia. His daughter, Savannah Graziano, was pronounced dead at an area hospital after she was wounded in the firefight.

Dicus said the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner will make definitive identifications on the deceased, but they are believed to be the missing father and daughter.

One AR-type rifle was found inside the 2017 white Nissan Frontier that the father and daughter were traveling in but more weapons may still be recovered, according to the sheriff.

"It's a substantial crime scene," Dicus said. Investigators were expected to remain at the site for at least 24 hours.

The shootout unfurled after a citizen spotted the Nissan near Barstow and reported it to authorities around 10:25 a.m. Tuesday, Dicus said. A day earlier, the California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert stating the child was "abducted/taken" by her father. Dicus said the citizen recognized the truck from police photos.

Anthony Graziano was suspected in the killing Monday morning of his 45-year-old wife, Tracy Martinez, near Cypress Elementary School in Fontana. Following the slaying, he fled with his daughter and the Amber Alert was activated across Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties on behalf of the Fontana Police Department.

Fontana police called the case a "domestic violence incident," but did not elaborate on a possible motive for the slaying. The couple was reportedly in the middle of a divorce.

When police caught up with the father and daughter Tuesday morning in the high desert, they led chase from Barstow to Hesperia that included U.S. Route 395, state Route 58 and Interstate 15, Dicus said. Along the way, law enforcement vehicles took fire from the Nissan. It's unclear who was shooting from inside the truck and whether Savannah was being held against her will.

The final firefight erupted along southbound I-15 in Hesperia. The Nissan was boxed in by law enforcement and street barricades — multiple rounds were exchanged.

Savannah got out of the Nissan and ran toward deputies — she was wearing tactical gear, according to Dicus.

The teen was wounded by gunfire and was pronounced dead at an area hospital at 11:52 a.m. Tuesday, the sheriff said. Her father was found dead inside the truck, in the driver's seat with the rifle nearby, according to Dicus.

Photos of the disabled Nissan stuck in desert sand were circulating on news outlets Tuesday. The images showed a yellow tarp across the truck's windshield and a right rear flat tire.

When pushed by reporters about the girl's possible role in the shootout, Dicus said, "She may have been involved in the fire exchange."

The sheriff said many questions will be answered in the coming days as the investigation continues.

One sheriff's deputy was injured from shrapnel during the gunfight but is expected to survive. Several law enforcement vehicles were damaged by gunfire, according to Dicus.

A SigAlert was issued and all southbound I-15 lanes were closed as of Tuesday afternoon in the area.