California murder suspect killed in shootout with cops

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LOS ANGELES — An abducted 15-year-old girl and her father — a fugitive wanted in the death of the teen’s mother — were both killed in a shootout with law enforcement Tuesday on a highway in the California’s high desert, authorities said.

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San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus did not say whether Savannah Graziano was shot by responding deputies or by her father. Anthony John Graziano, 45, allegedly killed his ex-wife the day before and kidnapped their daughter.

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Investigators had issued an Amber Alert after Graziano escaped. He was described as armed and dangerous.

A 911 caller reported seeing the suspect’s Nissan Frontier around Barstow on Tuesday, according to the sheriff’s department. Deputies located the van and chased it down the highway for approximately 45 miles (70 kilometers).

Throughout the chase, Graziano — and possibly his daughter, too — were « constantly shooting at the deputies » through the rear window of the truck, Dicus said.

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The shooter fired multiple rounds through the windshield of a patrol car and then disabled a second pursuit vehicle, the sheriff said.

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The van broke down on the shoulder of a highway in the town of Hesperia, and the shooting ensued.

Dicus said the girl was wearing tactical gear as she exited the passenger side of a truck and ran towards sheriff’s deputies. She fell to the ground amid gunfire. Deputies initially didn’t realize it was the girl running towards them, Dicus said, because she was wearing a military-style helmet and vest that could hold armor plates.

She was taken to hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly before noon.

Her father was found in the driver’s seat and pronounced dead at the scene. A rifle was found inside the car.

A deputy was injured by shrapnel in the shooting, Dicus said.

Graziano allegedly killed Tracy Martinez, 45, Monday morning during a domestic violence event in the town of Fontana, near San Bernardino, according to Fontana Police Sgt. Chris Surgent.

Family members told investigators the couple were going through a divorce. Martinez was rushed to hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Fontana is about 55 kilometers south of Hesperia, on the other side of the San Gabriel Mountains.