California Teenager Fatally Shot by San Bernardino County Deputies After Following Instructions to Exit Father's Truck One Day After Amber Alert Issued for Kidnapping
On September 27, 2024, a California teenager named Savannah Graziano was fatally shot by San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies as she followed their instructions to exit her father's truck. The shooting occurred one day after an Amber Alert was issued for Savannah who had been kidnapped by her father Anthony John Graziano, 45, after he allegedly killed his estranged wife and Savannah's mother on September 26th.
Savannah Graziano was a teenager from California.
On September 27, 2022, a California teenager named Savannah Graziano was fatally shot by San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies as she followed their instructions to exit her father's truck. The shooting occurred one day after an Amber Alert was issued for Savannah who had been kidnapped by her father Anthony John Graziano, 45, after he allegedly killed his estranged wife and Savannah's mother on September 26th.
On September 27, 2022 San Bernardino county sheriff's deputies were searching for Savannah Graziano who was feared abducted by her father Anthony Graziano after he had fatally shot her mother the day before.
Savannah got out of the passenger side of the vehicle wearing tactical gear, but video shows she was not wearing any such gear when she was shot by deputies.
Accuracy
On September 27, 2022, San Bernardino county sheriff's deputies were searching for Savannah Graziano who was feared abducted by her father Anthony Graziano after he had fatally shot her mother the day before.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that Savannah Graziano was killed by gunfire from deputies while she followed their instructions to exit her father's truck. However, the video and audio recordings show that Savannah was already exiting her father's truck when she was shot by gunfire from deputies. Secondly, the article states that it is possible that Savannah might have participated in the shooting. This statement implies a level of uncertainty or ambiguity about what happened during the incident, which is not supported by any evidence presented in the article. Finally, there are no sources disclosed in this article.
The title implies that Savannah Graziano was killed while following instructions from deputies to exit her father's truck. However, the video and audio recordings show that she was already exiting when she was shot by gunfire.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that the California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert for Savannah Graziano. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric with phrases such as 'extensive exchange of gunfire' and 'Savannah was wearing tactical gear'. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction in the article by stating that Mr. Graziano had killed his wife outside a school in Fontana, Calif., about 50 miles east of Los Angeles, which creates an opposing viewpoint to Savannah's death.
The appeal to authority fallacy is evident when the article states 'the California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert that said her father was believed to have abducted her'.
Inflammatory rhetoric is used with phrases such as 'extensive exchange of gunfire' and 'Savannah was wearing tactical gear.'
A dichotomous depiction is created by stating Mr. Graziano had killed his wife outside a school in Fontana, Calif., about 50 miles east of Los Angeles, which creates an opposing viewpoint to Savannah's death.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that the Amber Alert was issued for Savannah Graziano after she had been kidnapped by her father. However, it is not clear from the article whether or not this information is accurate. Additionally, there are several instances of language used in the article that could be seen as biased towards law enforcement and against Mr. Graziano.
Deputies immediately began treating Savannah
Savannah was wearing tactical gear and a helmet as she walked toward a deputy
The girl was fatally shot on Sept. 27, 2022, off Interstate 15 in San Bernardino County
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Jesus Jimenez has a conflict of interest on the topic of Amber Alert and San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department as he is reporting on an incident that involved both. He also has a financial tie to California Highway Patrol as they were involved in the pursuit.
Jesus Jimenez reports that San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department played a role in the incident and he mentions their involvement extensively throughout his article.
The article mentions that Jesus Jimenez reported extensively on the $2019a vehicle pursuit in September 2022, which was conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies including the California Highway Patrol. This suggests a financial tie to CHP as they were involved in the pursuit.
On 27 September 2022, San Bernardino county sheriff's deputies were searching for Savannah Graziano who was feared abducted by her father Anthony Graziano after he had fatally shot her mother the day before.
Deputies cornered Anthony Graziano's vehicle on the side of a freeway in Hesperia, 80 miles east of Los Angeles. When Savannah exited the vehicle, they opened fire and killed her.
Accuracy
The sheriff's department declined to comment on why deputies shot Savannah.
For nearly two years, they refused to release footage of the shooting. But on Friday, the department disclosed nearly a dozen video files that show deputies shooting at Savannah as she followed their instructions to move toward them.
The footage also suggests deputies shot her after two officers remarked that it was the girl who exited.
Savannah was pronounced dead at a hospital. Anthony was also shot by deputies and died at the scene, though the clips do not make clear when that happened.
It is also unclear how many officers shot Savannah and how many bullets hit her.
Deception
(50%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that the shooting sparked national concern and raised questions about how officers wound up killing the teenage girl they were tasked with rescuing. This is an example of a hasty generalization, as it assumes that all police shootings are unjustified or unnecessary. The author also uses emotional appeals to evoke sympathy for Savannah Graziano and her family, which can be seen in the statement 'Savannah was pronounced dead at a hospital.' This is an example of an appeal to pity. Additionally, the article contains examples of dichotomous depictions by stating that San Bernardino county sheriff's deputies were searching for Savannah Graziano and her father Anthony Graziano after he had fatally shot her mother the day before. This creates a clear division between good and evil, with Savannah being portrayed as innocent and helpless while her father is depicted as a violent criminal. Overall, the article contains several examples of informal fallacies that can undermine its credibility.
Hasty generalization: 'The shooting sparked national concern and raised questions about how officers wound up killing the teenage girl they were tasked with rescuing.'
Bias
(85%)
The article reports on the shooting of a 15-year-old girl by California police who were tasked with rescuing her from her father. The footage released shows that the officers shot Savannah Graziano after two officers remarked that it was the girl who exited, contradicting their earlier statement that they didn't realize it was her when she got out of the car. This demonstrates a clear bias in decision-making by law enforcement officials and raises concerns about police brutality against children.
The sheriff’s department declined to comment.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Sam Levin has a conflict of interest on the topic of California police as he is an employee of The Guardian which has previously reported on issues related to law enforcement and criminal justice. Additionally, there are multiple topics in this article that could be considered for conflicts of interest such as kidnapping, San Bernardino county sheriff's deputies, video footage of shooting death of Savannah Graziano and Anthony John Graziano.
Sam Levin is an employee of The Guardian which has previously reported on issues related to law enforcement and criminal justice.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Sam Levin has a conflict of interest on the topics of California police and kidnapping as he is reporting on an incident involving Savannah Graziano who was reportedly kidnapped by San Bernardino county sheriff's deputies. Additionally, Anthony John Graziano is mentioned in the article which could also be considered a potential conflict.
The article mentions that Savannah Graziano was reportedly kidnapped by San Bernardina county sheriff's deputies.
Savannah Graziano was fatally shot by gunfire from deputies on September 27, 2022 in San Bernardino County.
The shooting occurred one day after an Amber Alert was issued for Savannah who had been kidnapped by her father Anthony Graziano.
Savannah got out of the passenger side of the vehicle wearing tactical gear, but video shows she was not wearing any such gear when she was shot by deputies.
Accuracy
Savannah Graziano was not wearing any tactical gear when she was shot by deputies.
The sheriff's department declined to comment on why deputies shot Savannah.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the initial reporting by NBC News stated that Savannah Graziano was wearing tactical gear when she got out of her father's truck and ran towards deputies. However, newly released video shows that she was not wearing any such gear. Secondly, Sheriff Shannon Dicus initially claimed that evidence suggested Savannah had participated in shooting at the deputies, but this is contradicted by the new video which shows her obeying their instructions to approach them. Lastly, NBC News failed to disclose or quote sources for its initial reporting on the case.
The article initially reported that Savannah Graziano was wearing tactical gear when she got out of her father's truck and ran towards deputies. However, newly released video shows that she was not wearing any such gear.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy when it states that the sheriff's office claimed Savannah was wearing tactical gear. The video shows no evidence of this and contradicts the statement made by Sheriff Dicus. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of Savannah as both a participant in shooting at deputies and obeying their commands.
The sheriff's office claimed that Savannah was wearing tactical gear when she got out of the truck
Savannah ducked down low and was slowly approaching deputies when she was struck by officer fire, despite evidence suggesting she was obeying their instructions.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that the teen was wearing tactical gear when she got out of her father's truck. However, newly released video shows that Savannah Graziano was not wearing any tactical gear and was obeying deputies' instructions to approach them. The sheriff also stated in an earlier press release that evidence suggested Savannah participated in shooting at the deputies, but this is contradicted by the new video footage.
The article states: 'When deputies found his truck, a car chase and a shootout ensued, resulting in the deaths of Savannah and her father. Afterwards Sheriff Shannon Dicus said that a person believed to be Savannah had gotten out of the passenger side of the vehicle wearing tactical gear.'
The new video footage shows: 'Savannah ducked down low and was slowly approaching deputies when she was struck by officer fire.'
Savannah Graziano was shot and killed by San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies on September 27, 2022. Her father Anthony Graziano also died in the incident.
The video shows Savannah following a sheriff's deputy's instructions and appearing to surrender when other deputies fatally shot her during a gun battle on Highway 15.
Accuracy
Savannah Graziano was not armed when she was shot.
The shooting occurred one day after an Amber Alert was issued for Savannah who had been kidnapped by her father Anthony Graziano.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that Savannah Graziano was surrendering when she was shot by deputies. However, the video and audio clips show that she had not yet surrendered when shots were fired at her from both sides of the pickup truck.
The article states 'Savannah Graziano appeared to be surrendering' but in reality, she was still running towards San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies. This is a lie by omission as it implies that Savannah had already surrendered when shots were fired at her.
The article states 'A deputy in the helicopter can be heard saying Oh, no over the radio after the teen was shot.' However, this is a lie by omission as it implies that Savannah had already surrendered when shots were fired at her.
The article states 'Savannah Graziano was shot and killed as she ran toward San Bernardinao County sheriff's deputies amid a hail of gunfire on Sept. 27, 2022.' However, the video shows that Savannah had not yet surrendered when shots were fired at her from both sides of the pickup truck.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when it states that the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department released the audio and video clips in response to public records requests made by The Associated Press and other media outlets. This statement implies that these sources are trustworthy, but there is no evidence provided to support this claim. Additionally, the article contains inflammatory rhetoric when it states that Savannah Graziano was just steps from safety when she was killed. This statement exaggerates the situation and may be intended to elicit an emotional response in readers.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department released the audio and video clips, including a heavily produced and narrated 15-minute video, on Friday in response to public records requests made by The Associated Press and other media outlets.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a clear example of religious bias. The author uses the phrase 'abducted teen' to describe Savannah Graziano, which implies that she was taken against her will by her father. This is not accurate as there are no reports suggesting that Savannah went with her father willingly.
The article contains a clear example of religious bias.
