Amber Alert Canceled for Abducted 1-Year-Old Boy Found in Oregon

The one-year-old child taken by his father, Elias Huizar, from West Richland, Washington on April 22 was found safe.

An intense manhunt ended near Eugene, Oregon on Tuesday afternoon after a high-speed pursuit between the Oregon State Patrol and Huizar. West Richland Police Chief Thomas Grego said in a press conference on April 24 that Huizar exchanged gunfire with troopers before he crashed his car. The suspect then took his own life by shooting himself in the head.

Multiple agencies were working to reunite the boy, Roman Santos, with family members, Grego said. The initial amber alert released by the Washington State Patrol stated the boy's name as Roman Huizar.

"While we are grateful for this positive development," Grego said, "my heart remains heavy with sorrow for the tragic circumstances that have occurred."

The Context

Former police officer Elias Huizar is accused of killing his ex-wife and girlfriend in separate incidents on April 22.

A woman was shot and killed outside William Wiley Elementary School on April 22 just as classes ended for the day. In a press conference on April 23, Grego named her as Amber Rodriguez, the suspect's ex-wife.

He said that upon serving a search warrant at the suspect's residence, law enforcement agents discovered another crime scene and a second homicide victim. Following the death of Huizar and the safe return of Roman, Grego identified the second victim as Angelica Santos. She was the 17-year-old girlfriend of Huizar and Roman's mother.

Local paper, The Tri-City Herald, said Rodriguez 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 Angelica Santos 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.

Brenton County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Eisinger said at the press conference that Huizar was "out on conditional release on two pending felony matters for rape of a child in the third degree and rape in the second degree."

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

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 believed he would commit more violent crimes.

He was last seen in a 2009 silver Toyota Corolla with WA plates CBZ4745 and was 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

"This is a tragedy no community should have to experience," Richland School District Superintendent Shelley Redinger said at the press conference on April 23.

"Our students, staff members, and families showed an incredible amount of courage and strength in the face of immense fear and grief." she added.

What's Next?

The school district is working to support Roman and Rodriguez's two children, the superintendent said. She did not reveal the boy's names or ages.

Authorities are investigating Huizar's motive along with other aspects of the case, such as where the suspect obtained a gun and which victim was targeted first.

"We are still pursuing all of the leads," Eisinger said on April 24. "There is still a lot of work to be done in this case."

Update, 4/24/24, 5 a.m. ET: This article and its headline were updated with additional information, including that the child was found safe.

Update, 4/25/24, 4:53 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information, including that the suspect killed himself and the name of the second victim.