A former Washington police officer suspected of killing his underage girlfriend and ex-wife and kidnapping a 1-year-old child killed himself Tuesday afternoon after leading Oregon state troopers on a brief chase on Interestate 5 near Eugene.
The child, Roman Santos, was recovered safely by the troopers,Capt. Kyle Kennedy of the Oregon State Police said.
The Washington State Patrol issued an Amber Alert Monday night after finding Huizar’s girlfriend dead in his home, as CrimeOnline reported. They had earlier been called to William Wiley Elementary School in West Richland, where he had allegedly shot his ex-wife to death.
Oregon State Police also issued an Amber Alert, as Washington authorities believed Huizar was headed south toward Mexico.
Oregon troopers spotted Huizar’s car traveling southbound on Interstate 5 just after 2:30 p.m., Kennedy said. They tried to pull the car over, but Huizar fled with the troopers in pursuit. Huizar lost control of his vehicle shortly afterward when he encountered a traffic accident. After a brief exchange of gunfire, Huizar fled again, only to crash again into commercial vehicle stopped for another accident.
When troopers arrived and checked the vehicle, they found Huizar dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and the baby unharmed.
The incident began on Monday when West Richland Police were called to William Wiley Elementary School and found Amber Rodriguez, a teacher at the school and Huizar’s ex-wife, dead. When they arrived to check Huizar’s home Monday evening, they found a second person dead. Family members identified her as Huizar’s underage girlfriend Angelica Santos, but police have not confirmed that information.
Huizar was also reportedly under investigation for raping a friend of Santos’s.
Huizar was a police officer in Yakima from 2014 to 2022. It’s not known why he left the force.
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[Featured image: Elias Huizar/West Richland Police Department]