A former Washington police officer suspected of killing his underage girlfriend and ex-wife and kidnapping a 1-year-old child shot himself in the head Tuesday afternoon after Oregon State troopers spotted him on Interstate 5 near Eugene and gave pursuit.
The child, Roman Santos, was recovered safely by the troopers. Elias Huizar’s condition is not currently known, West Richland Police said.
Police said a news conference is scheduled for Wednesday morning Pacific time.
The Washington State Patrol issued an Amber Alert Monday night after finding Huizar’s girlfriend dead in his home, as CrimeOnline reported. They had earlier been called to William Wiley Elementary School in West Richland, where he had allegedly shot his ex-wife to death.
Police identified the ex-wife as Amber Rodriguez and said she was a teacher at the school. Family members identified the girlfriend as Angelica Santos, but police have not confirmed that information.
Huizar was also reportedly under investigation for raping a friend of Santos’s.
Oregon officials also issued a Amber Alert since police believed Huizar may be heading to Mexico.
Huizar was a police officer in Yakima from 2014 to 2022. It’s not known why he left the force.
