A former Washington state police officer, Elias Huizar, who was wanted for killing two people, including his ex-wife, was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a chase in Oregon. The chase began when Oregon State Police troopers saw Huizar driving on Interstate 5 near Eugene, Oregon, and attempted to pull him over. Huizar fled, leading troopers on a high-speed pursuit that ended when his vehicle collided with a commercial vehicle that was stopped on the interstate. Huizar shot himself and died at the scene, while his 1-year-old baby, who was with him, was safely taken into custody by troopers.
Huizar had gone on the run after fatally shooting his ex-wife, Amber Rodriguez, outside a West Richland elementary school in front of their 9-year-old son and other witnesses. Rodriguez had recently obtained a protection order against Huizar, who had also been living with a 17-year-old girl he met when she was 11 and impregnated when she was 15. The baby born to the 17-year-old girl recently turned 1. Huizar had been charged with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old friend of the teenager he lived with and was out on bail while awaiting trial for that charge at the time of the incident.
The Richland School District confirmed that Rodriguez worked at the school and Huizar had been employed as a substitute teacher. Huizar had previously worked as a resource officer in Yakima and left the police department in 2021 after receiving discipline. The district stated that they had received recommendations from the Yakima School District before hiring Huizar and that he had passed background checks. Huizar’s employment was terminated following his arrest in February.
Authorities did not identify the second victim found at Huizar’s house, except to say that she was his girlfriend. Rodriguez, in her petition for a protection order, expressed fear for the safety of her children and sought a modification of their parenting plan. The protection order, which was issued in February, barred Huizar from possessing firearms. The Yakima Police Department confirmed that Huizar had left the department in 2021 after receiving discipline but did not provide further details. The Richland School District expressed disappointment that information about Huizar’s past was not disclosed to them during the hiring process
The pursuit of Huizar by Oregon State Police troopers ended tragically with his suicide, but with the 1-year-old baby safely in custody. The district expressed gratitude for the safe recovery of the child and emphasized the importance of being forthcoming and truthful in the employment application process. The community is left shocked and saddened by the events that transpired, highlighting the need for vigilance in screening potential employees and ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff. The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of taking proactive measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
