West Richland double-murder, kidnapping suspect shot at police, officials say

In West Richland, the pink dogwoods are in bloom but the sunny spring days have been tarnished by three dead in the community and several orphaned children. 

Quiet neighborhoods are disturbed by police cars parked outside of an older home with a murder scene inside. Runners and neighbors pass by snapping pictures.

Monday afternoon, police say Elias Huizar, 39, apparently killed two women: his ex-wife, Amber Rodriguez, at a West Richland elementary school near a portable building just as school was releasing, and at his suburban home nearby, his 17-year-old girlfriend, Angelica Santos. Then, he kidnapped his 1-year-old son, Roman Santos, and drove south to Oregon. 

Huizar was located by Oregon State Police Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 5. A car chase ensued with Huizar shooting back at officers near Eugene, Oregon, West Richland Police said during a press conference.

He ran off the road and crashed, spinning into the median. Investigators said Huizar turned the gun on himself and died by suicide.

“The child was removed from the vehicle and we are working with the appropriate agencies to reunite him with his family,” said Thomas Grego, West Richland’s chief of police. “I hope the conclusion of this manhunt may serve as a catalyst for healing for all in this dreadful event.” 

A bunch of flowers Tuesday afternoon lay near the sign for William Wiley Elementary School in West Richland. Students returned to class on Wednesday morning with therapy dogs and counselors.
(Credit: Anna King / Northwest News Network)

Charges and the children    

Huizar had pending charges of 2nd and 3rd degree rape of two children, including Santos when she was 15. The age of consent in Washington is 16, according to the Benton County Prosecutor’s Office. The other rape was of a girl when she was 17; the prosecutor isn’t releasing her name. Huizar was charged with serving the girl alcohol and then having intercourse with her while she was incapacitated. Huizar was a former Yakima Police officer and also worked as a substitute teacher for the Richland School District until February of this year. 

Eric Eisinger, the Benton County prosecuting attorney, said it’s still unclear which woman was killed first on Monday:

“We are still working on that,” Eisinger said. “So, in terms of a specific timeline in terms as to which victim was killed first I can’t provide additional information this morning. That is something that is being looked into.”  

Eisinger also said the young child, Roman Santos, and two other children belonging to now-dead Rodriguez and Huizar, have all lost their mothers and father and would need some special care. 

“CPS will obviously be making a placement for the child, for Roman, but you’re right to point out that this leaves the child without a father or mother and this is a child who is going to need support,” Eisinger said.

The prosecuting attorney confirmed Santos had a court protection order against Huizar at the time of her death. Now with the death of Huizar, these cases will be closed, Eisinger said.

Children’s scooters, bikes and toys were left behind in the evacuation at William Wiley Elementary School Monday after a paraeducator was shot and killed by her ex-husband during dismissal Monday afternoon.
(Credit: Anna King / Northwest News Network)

Back to school

Wednesday is the first day back to school for William Wiley Elementary School students. Teachers opened their classes with a script provided by the district and several police and school district therapy dogs were at the school making the rounds.

“These are our most precious assets in our community, are our children. So, we want to make sure we’re doing everything to keep them safe,” said Shelley Redinger, superintendent with the Richland School District.

Timeline from the Richland School District: 

• November 19, 2021:

• Mr. Huizar started the application process with the Richland School District (RSD) for a substitute position.

• January 31, 2022:

• The Richland School District received a reference from the Principal of Franklin Middle School (Yakima School District), where Mr. Huizar was employed as a School Resource Officer. The principal rated Mr. Huizar as a ‘very good’ candidate for the substitute position he applied for.

• February 2, 2022:

• The Richland School District received a reference from the Vice Principal of Franklin Middle School (Yakima School District), where Mr. Huizar was employed as a School Resource Officer. The Vice Principal rated Mr. Huizar as an ‘excellent’ candidate for the substitute position he applied for.

• February 4, 2022:

• Mr. Huizar completed his drug screen at Lourdes Occupational Health.
• His fingerprints were taken at the Educational Services District 123, and were used to run background checks with the Washington State Patrol and FBI. Both background checks came back clear, allowing Mr. Huizar to proceed with the employment process at RSD.

• February 6, 2022:

• Mr. Huizar completed the mandatory 8-hour STEDI Subskills Training Course passing with a score of 100%.

• February 7, 2022:

• RSD initiated Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Emergency Substitute Certificate application, electronically signed and completed by Mr. Huizar. This application asked background questions in the Character and Fitness supplement including “Have you ever resigned from or otherwise left any employment while allegations of misconduct were pending?” and “Are you currently or have you ever been the subject of an investigation or inquiry by an employer because of allegations of misconduct?” Both questions Mr. Huizar answered ‘no.’ He also signed an affidavit certifying all information included in the emergency substitute application was true and correct.

• February 8, 2022:

• Yakima School District sent the Washington State Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Release to Richland School District. The Yakima School District checked the box for ‘No sexual misconduct materials found.’ This document was sent to RSD from the Yakima School District Human Resources Department.
• Mr. Huizar completed his new hire paperwork including an I-9 Form.
• A notification of reasonable assurance for employment was sent to Mr. Huizar.

• February 9, 2022:

• Emergency Substitute Certificate was issued and approved by OSPI. This application was initiated on February 7, 2022.

• February 10, 2022:

• The drug screen completed on February 4, 2022 by Mr. Huizar came back clear.

• February 18, 2022:

• Mr. Huizar’s first day of substitute teaching for the 2021-22 school year.  

• June 14, 2022:

• Mr. Huizar’s Last day of substitute teaching for the 2021-22 school year.

• August 30, 2022:

• Mr. Huizar’s first day of substitute teaching for the 2022-23 school year.

• March 26, 2023:

• Mr. Huizar recertified through OSPI Emergency Substitute Certificate.

• June 14, 2023:

• Mr. Huizar’s last day of substitute teaching for the 2022-23 school year. This was Mr. Huizar’s last time as a substitute or volunteer in our schools.

• September 2023:

• Mr. Huizar submitted a new volunteer application with RSD but never volunteered in our schools during the 2023-24 school year. Volunteers have their names run through the Washington State Patrol criminal history database each year they apply or reapply.

• February 14, 2024:

• After receiving notice of Mr. Huizar’s arrest and learning of the allegations against him, RSD immediately removed him from our substitute and volunteer portals. He was issued a No Trespass notice for all RSD properties.