West Richland, Washington – An AMBER Alert issued in West Richland has been canceled after authorities located the 1-year-old boy, Roman Santos, safe and unharmed in Oregon. The suspect, Elias Huizar, the father of the child, has been accused of murdering his ex-wife and girlfriend in separate incidents.
The AMBER Alert was expanded to Oregon as authorities believed Huizar had kidnapped his son and was fleeing towards Mexico. The child was found near Eugene, Oregon, after a pursuit led by Oregon State Patrol, where Huizar reportedly shot himself in the head. His current status remains unknown.
During a search of Huizar’s residence, another body was discovered, identified as his ex-wife and girlfriend by the Washington State Patrol. The incident initially unfolded with a deadly shooting near Wiley Elementary School, prompting a lockdown, but no students were harmed during the isolated event. Police suspect the shooter had a personal connection to the victim.
Huizar, who previously served as an officer with the Yakima Police Department, has faced legal troubles in the past, including charges of child rape. Reports indicate that his ex-wife had recently sought a custody modification for their children before the tragic events unfolded.
As authorities continue their investigation, the community is urged to report any sightings of Huizar to the police immediately. With concerns of his potential danger, it is crucial for the public to remain vigilant and contact law enforcement if they have any information on his whereabouts.
Classes at Wiley Elementary School were canceled following the incident, as the community grapples with the shocking turn of events. The West Richland Police Department is expected to provide further updates on the case as more details emerge.