Double murder suspect wanted for kidnapping son killed himself after chase, son rescued

Matt Rawlings
·2 min read

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Authorities say a former police officer wanted for kidnapping his son after allegedly killing two people in Washington state shot and killed himself after a police chase ended on Interstate 5 north of Eugene, Oregon, on Tuesday afternoon, Oregon State Police said in a press conference Tuesday evening.

The 1-year-old boy is safe in police custody. The entire press conference can be seen in the video player above.

Amber Alert: Murder, kidnapping suspect spotted at Plaid Pantry in North Portland

The multi-state manhunt started Monday afternoon when police say Elias Huizar, a former Yakima police officer who was also a school resource officer and a substitute teacher, fled the scene of a shooting at William Wiley Elementary School in West Richland, Washington, where his ex-wife, Amber Marie Rodriguez, was gunned down. Police say Huizar fled the state with his 1-year-old son Roman.

The body of another female was found dead in Huizar’s home, according to Seattle CBS affiliate KIRO. She was the mother of the 1-year-old boy.

Rodriguez leaves behind two children, ages 9 and 6. A GoFundMe has been set up to support the family.

The search for Amber Alert suspect Elias Huizar ended along I-5 toward Eugene when the suspect shot himself, April 23, 2024 (KOIN)
The search for Amber Alert suspect Elias Huizar ended along I-5 toward Eugene when the suspect shot himself, April 23, 2024 (KOIN)

While KOIN 6 is not disclosing the identity of the second victim in this story due to her age, a GoFundMe has also been created for her.

An Amber Alert was issued late Monday evening as a result of the initial incident. Overnight Tuesday, Huizar was spotted stopping at a Plaid Pantry on Hayden Island in Portland, according to authorities and Plaid Pantry’s CEO. Multnomah County deputies also confirmed to KOIN 6 News they went to Bridal Veil to investigate a vehicle that potentially matched the description of Huizar’s sedan.

A 1-year-old boy is rescued from a car after his father, Elias Huizar, killed himself after exchanging gunfire with Oregon State Police troopers on southbound I-5 near Eugene, April 23, 2024 (Sarah Baker/Lindsay Burch)
A 1-year-old boy is rescued from a car after his father, Elias Huizar, killed himself after exchanging gunfire with Oregon State Police troopers on southbound I-5 near Eugene, April 23, 2024 (Sarah Baker/Lindsay Burch)

Oregon State Police confirmed to KOIN 6 News “a pursuit has concluded,” but West Richland police announced on Facebook that OSP found Huizar around 3 p.m. in a vehicle going southbound on Interstate 5 and started to chase him.

“Near milepost 209, there was a minor collision and the suspect vehicle lost control. An exchange of gunfire occurred prior to the vehicle fleeing again southbound. No known injuries occurred as a result of the gunfire,” OSP officer Kyle Kennedy said in a press conference Tuesday night. “Near milepost 197, the suspect crashed into a stopped CMV and stopped in the median. As troopers contacted the suspect vehicle, he was deceased of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The infant was located uninjured and removed from the vehicle.”

West Richland police say they’ll have another press conference on Wednesday morning.

Watch the entire OSP press conference below:

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.