A former Washington state police officer accused of killing his ex-wife and her girlfriend, as well as kidnapping a baby, shot himself after a chase with police in Oregon, authorities announced Tuesday.
Oregon State Patrol troopers searching for suspect Elias Huizar, 39, spotted him driving south on Interstate 5 near Eugene around 2:40 p.m., said Capt. Oregon State Police Officer Kyle Kennedy during an evening news conference.
A chase ensued and, at one point, the suspect lost control of the vehicle he was driving and exchanged gunfire with the pursuing troopers, Kennedy said. No injuries were reported and the pursuit continued south, he said.
After approaching slow-moving traffic, Huizar struck a stopped vehicle and spun in a central reservation, the captain said. Huizar’s car then became stationary, and when officers “contacted” the vehicle, the suspect shot himself in the head, Kennedy said.
The 1-year-old boy Huizar allegedly kidnapped was taken away safely by troopers, Kennedy said. Authorities have not said how they believe the child was kidnapped.
No injuries were reported in the second and final crash, about 25 miles from the start of the chase, the captain said.
“Today was the worst-case scenario for us: having a murder suspect in the same vehicle as an innocent juvenile,” Kennedy said. “It takes everything to another level for us. It’s a zero-sum game for us. We’re grateful for how it ended.”
Huizar was charged with first-degree murder for the killing Monday of Amber Rodriguez, 31, at Wiley Elementary School in West Richland as classes began letting out shortly before 3:30 p.m., the Benton County prosecutor said. Eric Eisinger, during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
The murder charge includes an allegation of aggravated domestic violence, as well as enhancement of a firearm, Eisinger said.
Huizar was also under investigation in the death of a woman whose body was discovered later Monday when authorities searched her home. That victim has not been identified but was described in a Washington State Patrol Amber Alert as Huizar’s girlfriend.
According to a court document filed Monday against Huizar, witnesses at Wiley Elementary School said a gunman wearing black clothing and a black hat shot Rodriguez. Eight .40 caliber bullet casings were recovered at the scene. Rodriguez was identified after the killing in part by her school employee identification card, according to the documents.
The couple’s 9-year-old son witnessed the shooting, according to court records. The former husband and wife have two children together, according to court documents.
At the time of the school shooting, Huizar was on parole after being charged with third-degree rape of a child and second-degree rape, Eisinger said. His total bail was set at $250,000, according to the prosecutor…
