Former cop accused of murder and abduction dies of self-inflicted gunshot wound after manhunt, officials say

By TopTrendReportTv

April 24, 2024

A man suspected of killing two women this week in central Washington state and kidnapping a 1-year-old child died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a police chase in Oregon, authorities confirmed.

The suspect was identified as 40-year-old Elias Huizar, a former police officer. He fled the scene of a fatal shooting at an elementary school in West Richland on Monday.

Oregon State Police located Huizar's vehicle traveling south on Interstate 5 near Eugene on Tuesday afternoon, initiating a pursuit. During the chase, Huizar and police exchanged gunfire after he was involved in a minor accident. Despite the initial gunfire, no one was injured, according to Oregon State Police Captain Kyle Kennedy.

The chase continued, and Huizar collided with another vehicle a few miles away. When police caught up to him, they found him deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The 1-year-old child, Roman Santos, was safely rescued and taken into custody by state troopers.

Huizar was reportedly driving a black sedan from Monday night into Tuesday morning, according to West Richland police, who had received a tip from Portland police.

On Monday, Huizar allegedly shot a woman outside of William Wiley Elementary School in West Richland. Later, police searched his home and discovered another homicide victim. Both women killed were Huizar's ex-wife and girlfriend, according to an Amber Alert issued by Washington State Patrol.

West Richland police did not release the identities of the victims but noted the body found in Huizar's home was a known acquaintance of the suspect.

Huizar worked as a police officer in Yakima from 2014 to 2022, according to CBS affiliate KIRO. Earlier this year, he faced accusations in Yakima of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl and was charged with second-degree rape and providing alcohol to minors. Separately, Huizar also faced a third-degree rape charge for a long-term relationship with a now 17-year-old girl.

CBS News reached out to the Benton County Prosecutor's Office, where the charges against Huizar were filed, but did not receive an immediate response.

Police initially suspected Huizar was headed to Mexico with the abducted child and issued an alert for a silver 2009 Toyota Corolla with Washington state plates that he used to flee the scene of the school shooting. Authorities described 1-year-old Roman Santos as having brown hair and brown eyes and standing at 2 feet tall.

Police had asked the public for help locating Huizar, stating he was "likely to commit more crimes."