Elias Huizar: Former cop accused of killing ex-wife, girlfriend and abducting 1-year-old fatally shoots himself amid police chase

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

EUGENE, OREGON: Authorities announced on Tuesday that a former Washington State police officer, accused of murdering his ex-wife and girlfriend, and abducting a baby named Roman Huizar, fatally shot himself following a police car chase in Oregon.

To provide context, the suspect, Elias Huizar, was on the run after allegedly committing the double homicide of his ex-wife, Amber Rodriguez, and his 17-year-old girlfriend, Angelica Santos, on Monday, April 22nd.

Troopers find the abducted 1-year-old boy safely

During an evening press briefing on Tuesday, April 23rd, Oregon State Police Captain Kyle Kennedy revealed that Oregon State Patrol troopers, in their search for suspect Elias Huizar, 39, spotted him driving southbound on Interstate 5 near Eugene around 2:40 pm.

According to Kennedy, a pursuit ensued during which the suspect lost control of his vehicle and exchanged gunfire with pursuing troopers.

No injuries were reported, and the pursuit continued southward, as per NBC.

As Elias approached slow-moving traffic, he collided with a stationary vehicle and veered into a median, causing his car to become immobile.

Troopers then approached the vehicle, at which point the suspect Elias shot himself in the head, as confirmed by Kennedy.

Kennedy confirmed that troopers safely retrieved the 1-year-old boy whom Huizar had allegedly abducted.

Authorities did not provide specific details regarding the circumstances of the child's abduction.

Kennedy also noted that no injuries occurred during the second and final collision, which took place approximately 25 miles from the origin of the chase.

Reflecting on the incident, Kennedy remarked, "Today was a worst-case scenario for us — having a murder suspect in the same vehicle as an innocent juvenile, that brings everything up another level for us. It’s a zero-sum game for us. We’re thankful for the way it turned out."

An Amber alert was issued for 1-year-boy Roman Huizar

Washington state authorities have issued an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old boy following reports that former police officer Elias allegedly killed two women – his wife and ex-girlfriend – and purportedly abducted the infant.

The alert was issued by the Washington State Patrol on Monday night, April 22nd, at 9:45 pm, at the request of the West Richland Police Department, who reported the missing child, identified as Roman Huizar.

On Tuesday morning, West Richland police revealed that Elias had been sighted in Portland, Oregon, overnight, potentially driving a black sedan.

"All available resources are actively pursuing this lead," the agency stated in a social media post. 

The city of Yakima, situated approximately 70 miles northwest of the baby's disappearance, serves as the backdrop for this unfolding drama.

Investigators believe that Huizar, who joined the police force in 2013 and resigned in February 2022, is armed, dangerous, and potentially headed to Mexico with the child.

Officials have not confirmed whether the infant is related to either of the homicide victims, as per USA Today.

According to the Amber Alert for Roman, Elias may be traveling in a 2009 silver Toyota Corolla, purportedly driven by Huizar.

The alert specified the license plate CBZ-745. Huizar is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 170 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a black hat, a black long-sleeve shirt, light blue jeans, and black shoes.

The Amber Alert poster describes the baby as 2 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 25 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

Elias Huizar charged with murder for allegedly killing 2 women

During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Benton County Prosecutor Eric Eisinger announced that Huizar faced first-degree murder charges in the killing of 31-year-old Amber Rodriguez at Wiley Elementary School in West Richland.

Eisinger clarified that the murder charge encompassed allegations of domestic violence, along with a firearm enhancement.

Additionally, Elias Huizar was under investigation for the death of another woman, Angelica Santos, whose body was discovered at his residence later that Monday.

According to court documents filed against Huizar on Monday, witnesses at Wiley Elementary School described a gunman clad in black attire and a black hat shooting Rodriguez.

Investigators recovered eight .40-caliber bullet casings at the scene.

Rodriguez's identification was confirmed in part through her school employee ID. 

The documents also revealed that the couple's 9-year-old son witnessed the shooting. Huizar and Rodriguez shared two children together, as stated in KGW.

Eisinger noted that at the time of the school shooting, Huizar was on conditional release after facing accusations of third-degree rape of a child and second-degree rape, with a bail amount totaling $250,000.

Internet feels 'worse' amid the deaths of 2 young women

After news broke of the tragic deaths of two young women, reportedly at the hands of a former police officer who also abducted a 1-year-old son, many individuals expressed their opinions, as reported by the New York Post.

One user said, “What a terrible horrible story. Two young women who did nothing wrong and this poor child now grows up without parents and the shadow of what happened over their heads for their entire life.”

Another user added, “he couldn't even do that right!” [sic]

A user claimed, “Sadly a small percentage of cops and firefighters are criminals on the side. My husband is on the job and he hides his true identity with his uniform he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Another user commented, “That poor 1-year-old.  Imagine becoming of age and finding out this was what happened to your parents.” [sic]

A user claimed, “I feel worse for the 9-year-old who watched his dad put 8 bullets in his mom. I also feel sad for any student that witnessed it.”

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online