(StraightNews.org) – A manhunt got underway in Washington after a former school resource officer, accused of killing his ex-wife, fled with his one-year-old son. Elias Huizar is accused of shooting Amber Marie Rodriguez outside the William Wiley Elementary School in West Richland on the afternoon of April 21. When police entered his home, they discovered the body of his 17-year-old girlfriend.
Washington State Patrol issued an amber alert and described Huizar as potentially dangerous and likely to commit further offenses. Court documents show that Ms. Rodriguez recently filed for a custody alteration regarding the two sons, aged 5 and 9, she shared with Huizar.
Local media reported that Huizar is also wanted for the rape of his girlfriend’s friend and was under investigation regarding his relationship with the teenager and her age when she became pregnant with his child.
Following the fatal shooting at William Wiley Elementary, police placed the school into lockdown and forced some parents to abandon their vehicles in the parking lot and leave the area. A local resident told reporters he heard 4 or 5 gunshots near the school before witnessing a woman fleeing the scene and shouting that somebody had been shot.
Friends left tributes to Rodriguez online, saying she was “sweet and kind.” Ms. Rodriguez divorced Huizar in 2020 and filed for a protection order after he was accused of raping a teenager in February. He was arrested and charged with that crime but released on $200,000 bail.
On the afternoon of April 23, Oregon State Police spotted Huizar’s vehicle on Interstate 5, and a chase ensued. Oregon State Police Capt. Kyle Kennedy told reporters that his officers cornered Huizar, who fired at them before fleeing again. State troopers continued their chase until the suspect eventually crashed his car. As the troopers approached the vehicle, Huizar shot himself and died instantly.
The one-year-old boy was located inside the vehicle unharmed. Police removed the child and placed him in the care of Oregon authorities.
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