(Scypre.com) – Authorities in Washington State have launched a manhunt for 39-year-old Elias Huizar following a tragic sequence of events that unfolded on Monday. Huizar, a former police officer, is wanted in connection with the shooting deaths of two women and the abduction of a toddler, with law enforcement officials raising alarms that he may be headed toward the Mexico border.
The day’s harrowing events began in the vicinity of Wiley Elementary School in West Richland, Benton County, where police responded to reports of gunfire at 3:23 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered a woman fatally shot outside the school premises. She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a statement from the West Richland Police Department. The school was promptly locked down, though no other injuries were reported.
The violence appeared to be an isolated incident initially, but the situation escalated later that evening. Following a search warrant at Huizar’s residence, the body of a second woman was discovered. Police disclosed only that she had known connections to Huizar but withheld further details.
In response to these grim discoveries, the Washington State Patrol issued an Amber Alert for Huizar’s one-year-old son, Roman Huizar, describing the child as about 2 feet tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. The alert emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting Elias Huizar’s likely intent to flee the country and deeming him “armed and considered dangerous.”
Elias Huizar is described as being 5 feet 6 inches tall, with matching brown hair and eyes, and was last seen driving a silver 2009 Toyota Corolla. The public has been urged to remain vigilant and to report any sightings by calling 911.
The nature of Huizar’s relationship with the abducted child was not immediately clarified by authorities. However, court records revealed a troubling history involving Huizar, including recent charges of child rape. He had appeared in court on February 15, facing accusations of sexually assaulting a teenager in his home earlier in the year—an incident reportedly witnessed by another teen. A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf at that time.
Further complicating matters, Huizar had been subject to a no-contact order, prohibiting him from approaching within 1,000 feet of the alleged victims’ homes, schools, or workplaces, as well as any contact with minors under the age of 16. During a court hearing in February, prosecuting attorney Anita Petra highlighted that the order would prevent Huizar from contacting his own child.
His tenure as a police officer at the Yakima Police Department from 2013 to 2022 adds another layer of complexity to the case, given his background in law enforcement and his potential familiarity with evasion tactics.
As the search continues, local law enforcement and the community remain on high alert, hoping for the swift apprehension of Elias Huizar and the safe recovery of young Roman.