A former Washington state police officer, Elias Huizar, who was wanted for the killings of two people, including his ex-wife, has been found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a chase in Oregon. The incident unfolded on Tuesday, leaving authorities shocked and a community in mourning. Thankfully, Huizar’s 1-year-old baby, who was with him during the ordeal, was safely taken into custody by Oregon State Police troopers.
The pursuit began when troopers spotted Huizar driving southbound on Interstate 5 near Eugene at approximately 3 p.m. on Tuesday. According to Oregon State Police Capt. Kyle Kennedy, Huizar attempted to flee after a trooper initiated a traffic stop.
A high-speed chase ensued, with troopers exchanging gunfire with Huizar at one point during the pursuit. The chase spanned about 25 miles (40 kilometers) and came to a halt when Huizar’s vehicle collided with a commercial vehicle that was stopped on the interstate due to an unrelated crash.
Huizar’s vehicle spun and became immobile in the median. When troopers approached to make contact, Huizar tragically took his own life, succumbing to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The 1-year-old child was unharmed and safely removed from the vehicle. Capt. Kennedy stated that he did not believe anyone was injured during the exchange of gunfire with the police.
The tragic events leading up to the pursuit unfolded the day before when Huizar allegedly killed two individuals, including his ex-wife, Amber Rodriguez, 31. Rodriguez was shot eight times outside a West Richland elementary school in front of their 9-year-old son and other witnesses. She had recently obtained a protection order against Huizar, who had been on the run since the incident.
Rodriguez worked at the school, while Huizar had been employed as a substitute teacher in the Richland School District. The district confirmed this information in a Facebook post. The identity of the second victim found at Huizar’s house has not been disclosed, other than confirming that she was Huizar’s girlfriend.
Court records reveal a disturbing history involving Huizar. He had been living with a 17-year-old girl, whom he met when she was 11 and he was a middle school resource officer in Yakima. He impregnated her when she was 15, and their child recently turned 1. Rodriguez had expressed concern for her children’s safety in her petition for a protection order against Huizar.
The Yakima Police Department stated in a Facebook post that Huizar left the department in 2021 after facing disciplinary action, without providing further details. In February, Huizar was charged with the rape of a 16-year-old friend of the 17-year-old girl living with him. He was out on bail pending trial at the time of the incident.
