AMBER Alert canceled: Washington 1-year-old found safe after pursuit in Oregon
WEST RICHLAND, Wash. - The 1-year-old boy at the center of an AMBER Alert issued out of West Richland has been found safe. His father, Elias Huizar, is accused of killing his ex-wife and girlfriend in separate incidents.
An AMBER Alert had been issued in Washington and Oregon following the suspected kidnapping by 40-year-old Elias Huizar.
The child was safely found near Eugene, Oregon after troopers chased the vehicle Huizar was driving. The suspect shot himself in the head, according to authorities in Oregon. His condition is unknown.
The West Richland Police Department posted this update Tuesday afternoon on Facebook:
"At approximately 3pm on Tuesday, April 23rd, the Oregon State Patrol located the subject vehicle driving southbound on Interstate 5, near Eugene, Oregon, and initiated a pursuit. The pursuit ended with OSP reporting that the suspect sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, with his current condition unknown. The 1-year-old child, Roman Santos, was taken safely into custody by OSP troopers.
"This is a developing situation. More information will be released at a press conference scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, April 24th at 10am at the West Richland Police Department in the Noski Community Room."
Law enforcement is expected to have an update on April 24.
A photo sent by Kelli Pechnick shows the heavy police presence around the vehicle driven by Elias Huizar, who was accused of kidnapping a 1-year-old after killing his ex-wife and girlfriend.
The initial shootings
The public was asked to be on the lookout for Huizar and the young child, Roman Santos. It comes in the wake of a lockdown at Wiley Elementary School in West Richland, due to a deadly shooting which took place nearby at around 3:20 p.m. on April 22.
One-year-old kidnapped, dad suspected of murder
Just after 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, the West Richland Police Department announced that Huizar had been spotted in Portland, Oregon overnight, possibly driving a black sedan. The AMBER Alert has been extended from Washington to Oregon. It's believed Elias is heading to Mexico with the child.
Authorities confirmed the woman’s death outside the school building. None of the students were harmed during the incident, which police described as an isolated event indicating that the shooter knew the victim.
During a search of the suspect's residence, another body was discovered inside. The Washington State Patrol has identified both deceased individuals as Huizar's ex-wife and girlfriend.
Huizar stands 5 feet 6 inches tall and has a weight of approximately 170 pounds. He was last noted driving a 2009 silver Toyota Corolla, Washington license plate CBZ4745.
The child, Roman, is described as being about 2 feet tall, weighing 25 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.
The West Richland Police Department announced on Tuesday morning, just after 7 a.m., that Huizar was possibly seen in Portland, Oregon, driving a black sedan overnight. The AMBER Alert now extends into Oregon as there is a belief that Huizar may be intending to flee to Mexico with the child.
Huizar previously worked as an officer with the Yakima Police Department.
Elias Huizar was a former police officer with the Yakima Police Department. (WSP / YPD)
Reports from Tri-City Herald in February stated that Huizar had pleaded not guilty to charges of child rape. Days before Monday’s shooting, his ex-wife had reportedly sought a custody modification for their two children. FOX 13 is attempting to acquire these court documents.
The identity of the woman killed outside Wiley Elementary has not been officially confirmed as Huizar's ex-wife by the police.
Classes were canceled Tuesday at Wiley Elementary School.
With Huizar considered armed and potentially dangerous, and with police fearing further violent acts, anyone who spots him should immediately call 911 and mention the West Richland homicide investigation.