Police not sure if 15-year-old girl killed in shootout was kidnapped by her father

A Southern California man suspected of killing his estranged wife and kidnapping their 15-year-old daughter had been living with the teenager in his pickup truck and hotel in the weeks before the violence, authorities said.

Anthony John Graziano and his daughter Savannah Graziano were killed after a 45-mile chase Tuesday in a shootout with police on a highway in the high desert east of Los Angeles.

As the truck was being pursued, someone fired at the police from the truck.

When it came to a stop, the girl, wearing a tactical helmet and vest, got out of the car and ran towards officers amid a burst of gunfire, police said.

Authorities are investigating whether she was shot by police or by her father – or both.

Police said the only weapon found at the scene was a rifle in the truck where Anthony Graziano died.

Authorities are reviewing police video of the shootout.

The California Department of Justice said it was investigating the shooting.

A state law that went into effect last year requires the department to review any shootings involving officers that resulted in the death of an unarmed civilian.

While many questions remain about Tuesday’s shootout, police in Fontana (where Graziano’s wife Tracy Martinez was killed Monday) provided some details about the family’s life before the bloodshed.

Fontana Sgt Christian Surgent told The Associated Press that Anthony Graziano moved out of the couple’s home a month or two before he was killed, while the couple were divorcing.

Savannah Graziano left with her father, while her younger brother stayed with their mother.

Police issued an amber alert after Ms Martinez was killed, saying Savannah Graziano had been kidnapped by her father.

Now, detectives are trying to determine if she was forced to leave Fontana.

“Did she go voluntarily?” said Mr. Sugent.

“Or was she really kidnapped? We can’t prove it yet.”

Mr Sugent said Fontana police had not received any reports of domestic violence at the house prior to this week, and Children’s Services had not been involved in the family’s work.

Neither parent was on probation or parole at the time, and investigators believe Savannah was homeschooling when he lived with his father, who police said enjoyed camping in the desert and mountains in his truck.

Witnesses saw Ms Martinez walking in Fontana on Monday as Graziano picked her up in a truck.

Mr Surgent said it was unclear if she was forced into the car or if she did it herself.

“That’s when they started arguing and yelling and domestic violence was happening,” he said.

Mr. Sugent said Ms. Martinez got off the truck and Graziano fired at her with a pistol, hitting her multiple times.

A shooting on a street near an elementary school during the morning hours of school forced students and parents to take shelter.

Mr Sugent said Graziano fled and drove to find Savannah, which was likely where they lived that day.

The son was at home at the time and did not participate.

The next day, a 911 caller reported seeing the suspect’s Nissan Frontier near Barstow, nearly 70 miles north of Fontana.

Police found the truck and chased it on the highway to Hesperia.

San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dekus said at a news conference Tuesday that throughout the pursuit, Graziano “constantly fired back with his rifle from the back window of the truck.”

Mr Dekus said there were “some indications” Savannah had fired at police during the pursuit, but gave no details.

When the truck pulled off the road and was disabled in some way, an exchange of fire broke out in Hesperia, with dozens of bullets flying.

Savannah ran to the police in the confusion – they didn’t realize it was her – and fell to the ground amid the gunfire.

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.

The sheriff’s department declined to release any additional information Wednesday.