Ex-cop charged with child rape dies after allegedly killing his ex-wife, girlfriend, and kidnapping son
04/23/2024 3:57 pm PDT
Update (4/24/2024) -- West Richland Police Department announced Wednesday, April 24, that the suspect, Elias Huizar, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head following a pursuit with Oregon State Police. Police confirmed Huizar's 17-year-old girlfriend, Angelica Santos, gave birth to the kidnapped 1-year-old who was found safe.
Huizar reportedly killed Santos, and her death remains under investigation.
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WEST RICHLAND, Wash. (TCD) -- A 39-year-old former police officer was on the run after allegedly killing two women and abducting his 1-year-old son.
On Monday, April 22, at 3:23 p.m., West Richland Police Department officers were called to a shooting at Wiley Elementary School and found an adult female deceased outside the school. Police did not identify the woman, but they said it was an isolated incident. The suspect, Elias Huizar, fled the scene following the shooting.
Police discovered a second female homicide victim at Huizar’s home while officers were executing a search warrant. Police identified the dead woman as a "known associate of the suspect."
Washington State Patrol issued an Amber Alert on Monday evening and shared additional details, saying the suspect had allegedly killed his ex-wife and his girlfriend.
The Amber Alert said his son, Roman Huizar, was also taken and there was a possibility they were heading toward Mexico. KOIN-TV reports Huizar was believed to have been spotted in Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday.
The Benton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is charging Huizar with first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement and an aggravating circumstance allegation of aggravated domestic violence.
On Tuesday, April 23, at approximately 3 p.m., Oregon State Police reportedly located Huizar’s car on the I-5 near Eugene, Oregon, and engaged in a pursuit. West Richland Police said the chase ended with Huizar reportedly sustaining a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. His son was found safe and taken into custody by state troopers.
Huizar’s health status was not known, police said.
According to the charging documents, Huizar allegedly shot his ex-wife, Amber Marie Rodriguez, "several times" and did so "within sight or sound of the victim’s or the defendant’s minor children."
The Tri-City Herald reports Rodriguez filed for a custody change last week for their 5-year-old and 9-year-old children.
Huizar was arrested and charged with child rape in February for reportedly having a sexual relationship with a female "at least 14 years old but less than 16 years old," resulting in her pregnancy. The girlfriend, 17, lived with Huizar and gave birth to his child in April 2023.
The girlfriend reportedly met Huizar when he was a school resource officer at her middle school. She was 15 years old at the time, and they began an intimate relationship.
He was also charged with second-degree rape in February for allegedly sexually assaulting a girl while she was unconscious. His girlfriend reportedly witnessed the incident.
Huizar formerly worked as an officer for the Yakima Police Department.
MORE:
- Public Safety Notification - West Richland Police Department
- Amber Alert - Washington State Patrol
- Public Safety Briefing - West Richland Police Department
- First-degree murder: State of Washington vs. Elias Huizar
- Rape of a child: State of Washington vs. Elias Huizar
- Second-degree rape: State of Washington vs. Elias Huizar
- Missing child alert issued after W. Richland murders. Victims ID’d as ex-wife, girlfriend - Tri-City Herald
- Amber Alert: Double murder, kidnapping suspect spotted at Plaid Pantry in North Portland - KOIN
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