Elias Huizar, a former Washington state school resource officer, was accused of gunning down his ex-wife and underage girlfriend and fled with their infant son, starting a manhunt for him. Huizar led Oregon State Troopers on a high-speed chase, reaching speeds of over 100 mph before crashing into a median and exchanging gunfire with officers. After crashing again into a semi-truck, Huizar fatally shot himself in front of his infant son. The son, Roman Santos, was found safe in Oregon State Police custody.
Authorities began looking for Huizar after he allegedly shot and killed his ex-wife, Amber Rodriguez, outside the elementary school where she worked. A second body was discovered in his Washington home, later identified as Angelica Santos, the 17-year-old girl he was accused of raping and impregnating. While Huizar has been charged with Rodriguez’s death, he has not yet been charged in Santos’ death. The motive for his actions remains unclear, although pending criminal charges and domestic issues may provide some clues. Rodriguez had recently filed to change the custody arrangements for their children, citing safety concerns.
Huizar was due in court on the day of the killings to face child rape charges related to his relationship with Angelica and allegedly raping her 16-year-old friend. Rodriguez had expressed fear for her safety, as Huizar was armed and had been harassing her since their divorce in 2020. Rodriguez had taken a job at the elementary school where her son attended in an effort to keep him safe, but tragically, he witnessed his father firing shots at his mother. Police are investigating how Huizar obtained the firearm used in the incident as he was prohibited from owning firearms under a protection order filed by Rodriguez.
Huizar had previously worked for the Yakima Police Department but left in 2021 after facing discipline. He had met Angelica while working as a school resource officer at Washington Middle School in Yakima when she was just 11 years old. Their relationship turned abusive, resulting in Huizar impregnating her when she was 15. He later worked as a substitute teacher in the Richland School District until his arrest for raping Angelica’s 16-year-old friend. The tragic events surrounding Huizar’s violent actions have left many questions unanswered as investigators work to uncover the motives behind his deadly rampage.
The chaotic standoff with Huizar ended in tragedy as he took his own life after a violent confrontation with authorities. The safe recovery of his son, Roman Santos, brought some relief to the situation. Despite the efforts of law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice, many details about the case remain unknown. The heartbreaking loss of Amber Rodriguez and Angelica Santos, and the impact on their families, highlight the devastating consequences of domestic violence. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of these horrific events and seeking answers to the senseless violence that shattered multiple lives.
