The former Washington school Police officer accused of fatally shooting his ex-wife and underage girlfriend before fleeing with the teenager’s infant has been discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, as per police reports.
Oregon State Troopers located Elias Huizar’s injured body following a police pursuit near Eugene around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, according to statements from the West Richland Police Department.
He was transported to the hospital in an undisclosed condition. The 1-year-old child he abducted was safely taken into custody by the troopers.
Huizar, aged 39, went into hiding just 24 hours earlier after allegedly firing eight shots at his ex-wife, Amber Rodriguez, outside the elementary school where she was employed. The couple’s 9-year-old son informed authorities that he witnessed his father, Elias Huizar, shooting his mother, as stated in a probable cause statement.
During the search for Huizar, authorities discovered the body of his underage girlfriend, identified as Angelica Santos by relatives, at his residence, located just minutes away from the school.
Her distraught family realized that Angelica, aged 17, and Huizar’s 1-year-old child, Roman Santos, were missing, leading them to suspect that the former cop had kidnapped the infant.
Court documents from earlier this year revealed that Huizar met the girl while serving as a school resource officer at Washington Middle School in Yakima. They met when she was 11 years old, and he impregnated her when she was 15, according to Rodriguez’s request for a protection order against Huizar.
Huizar left the Yakima Police Department in 2021 “after receiving discipline,” the department stated on Tuesday, without elaborating further. Subsequently, he worked as a substitute teacher in the Richland School District until February of this year, when he was arrested for allegedly raping the unconscious 16-year-old friend of his underage girlfriend after a night of drinking at his home, according to the district.
Huizar was scheduled to appear in court to face the child rape charges and for his involvement with Angelica on the day of the murders.
The brutal slaying occurred shortly after Rodriguez filed for changes to the custody arrangements of their two children, aged 5 and 9, citing concerns for their safety. She had previously expressed apprehension about her ex-husband, whom she claimed was armed and had been harassing her.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities delved deeper into Huizar’s troubled past, uncovering a pattern of concerning behaviour.
Reports revealed a history of disciplinary actions during his tenure with the Yakima Police Department, culminating in his departure in 2021. His subsequent employment as a substitute teacher in the Richland School District raised further alarms after allegations of sexual assault emerged.
The tragic events surrounding Huizar’s actions have sparked conversations about the need for stricter protocols and oversight within law enforcement agencies. Questions arise about how individuals with troubled histories are vetted and monitored, especially when entrusted with positions of authority. The case highlights the devastating consequences that can result when warning signs are overlooked or downplayed.
As the community grapples with shock and grief, support services have been mobilized to assist those affected by the tragedy. Counselling and outreach programs are being offered to help individuals cope with the trauma and navigate the aftermath of the senseless violence. In the wake of such profound loss, efforts to promote healing and resilience are paramount.
