Amber Alert for 1-Year-Old Boy Taken by ‘Armed and Dangerous’ Man

Police are searching for a man they suspect killed his ex-wife and girlfriend, as well as abducting a 1-year-old child.

The Context

A woman was shot and killed outside William Wiley Elementary School on Monday just as classes ended for the day. Police named the suspect as 39-year-old former police officer Elias Huizar. Upon searching his house, police found another dead woman.

Washington State Patrol said the two victims were Huizar’s ex-wife and girlfriend. It is unclear which woman was killed at the school and which woman was killed at home, though according to the Tri-City Herald, his ex-wife was a member of staff at the school. The paper names her as Amber Rodriguez and said she recently filed for a protection order for her and her children.

The Herald also reported, based on court documents, that Huizar was charged with raping a teenage girl in his home, who was a friend of his girlfriend. Investigators are also looking into whether Huizar’s 17-year-old girlfriend was of the legal age of consent when she became pregnant, the paper said.

Newsweek has not seen or independently verified the court documents cited in The Herald‘s reporting.

The shooting at William Wiley Elementary marks the third fatal U.S. school shooting in 2024.

Huizar is now on the run with his 1-year-old child, Roman, who police say has been missing since April 21.

What We Know

Huizar is described as five foot six inches tall and weighing 170 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a black hat, black long-sleeved top, light blue jeans and black shoes.

Law enforcement said Huizar should be considered “armed and dangerous” and believe he will commit more violent crimes.

He was last seen in a 2009 silver Toyota Corolla with WA plates CBZ4745 and is believed to be heading to Mexico with Roman.

Roman is described as two feet tall and weighing 25 pounds. He also has brown hair and brown eyes, but it is unknown what he was wearing.

Views

Newsweek reached out for comment from the Washington State Patrol via email sent at 3:05 a.m. PDT.

What’s Next?

William Wiley Elementary School is closed today, according to a popup message on its website.

The West Richland Police Department said they would provide an update at 6 a.m. local time on Tuesday.

Police advised people to call 911 if they see either Elias or Roman Huizar.