WEST RICHLAND, Wash. (TND) — State troopers in Oregon said the man suspected of killing his ex-wife, girlfriend and kidnapping his son died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Elias Huizar was the focus of a manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies in Washington and Oregon after an Amber Alert was issued for his 1-year-old son.
The suspect is accused of killing his ex-wife, Amber Rodriguez and 17-year-old girlfriend, who was the child's mother.
The double-murder suspect had been wanted by authorities following the slayings.
Tuesday afternoon Oregon State Patrol found the subject vehicle south of Highway 34 near Eugene.Huizar led troopers in a high-speed chase with his son in the vehicle.
Troopers detailed the chase in a press conference held hours after the pursuit and rescue. During the chase Huizar's lost control and crashed. Before fleeing again,Huizar and troopers exchanged gunfire at the crash site. Troopers noted that no injuries occurred during the gunfire battle. Along Interstate 5, just north of Eugene, the suspect's vehicle crashed again. That's whereHuizar is believed to have taken his life.
"The infant was located uninjured and removed from the vehicle," said the trooper.
Huizar was identified earlier in the day at a separate press conference with officials from Washington state.
"Last night a nationwide arrest warrant was issued forElias Huizar. Mr. Huizar is charged with first-degree premeditated murder of his ex-wife, Amber Rodriguez. The charge of murder includes and an aggravated circumstance allegation of domestic violence and a firearm in that incident," saidEric Eisinger, a Benton County prosecuting attorney.
Huizar was believed to be "armed" and "likely to commit more crimes" after being accused of the two murders on Monday. Authorities believedHuizar was fleeing to Mexico with his son.
Police said officers from the West Richland Police Department were called to Wiley Elementary School on Monday, where they found his wife dead outside of the school where she worked.
Huizar was waiting for Rodriguez as kids were getting out at dismissal of school behind a portable area on school grounds and he shot her there, police said. The shooting prompted a lockdown at the school.
When officers went to serve a search warrant at Huizar's home Monday night, they claimed to have discovered a second crime scene, where his 17-year-old girlfriend was found killed.
At the time of Rodriguez's murder, Huizar was out on a condition of a release from the court that stemmed from two pending rape of a child charges, according toEisinger.
The murders took place on the same day Huizar was reportedly due in court for the child rape charges.Eisinger couldn't say which murder took place first, citing that the investigation remained active.
The Tri-City Herald reportedthat Huizar's relationship with the 17-year-old girl was the other child rape charge he was due in court for on Monday.
Huizar is a former Yakima Police Department officer who was last employed in February of 2022.The suspect was employed as a substitute teacher who last taught in June 2023, according to Shelley Redinger, Superintendent for Richland School District.
The child was placed in the custody of Oregon officials but is expected to be transferred to Washington.
Authorities in Oregon remained at the scene late Tuesday night in Eugine conducting their investigation.
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