Authorities confirm 2nd victim of ex-Washington officer was 17-year-old with whom he had a baby

WEST RICHLAND, Wash. — Authorities confirmed Wednesday that the body found in the home of a former Washington state police officer who killed his ex-wife before fleeing to Oregon, where he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, was that of a 17-year-old girl used to be. with whom he had a child.

Elias Huizar, 39, a former Yakima police officer, went on the run Monday afternoon after killing two people, including his ex-wife, Amber Rodriguez, 31, whom he shot eight times outside a West Richland elementary school in front of their eyes. children. year-old son and other witnesses, police said. Rodriguez had recently obtained a protective order against Huizar.

Police said they found the other victim at Huizar’s home on Monday. On Wednesday, they confirmed that the victim was Angelica M. Santos, 17, who Huizar had met several years ago in his role as a high school employee in Yakima, court records show.

According to a lawsuit filed by Rodriguez, he got her pregnant when she was 15. Their 1-year-old baby was found safe Tuesday in the vehicle Huizar was driving when he exchanged gunfire with pursuing Oregon State Police troopers and then killed himself.

In February, Santos and a 16-year-old friend reported to police that Huizar had sexually assaulted the 16-year-old while she was passed out at his home. Huizar was accused of raping both girls but had posted bail.

Days later, Rodriguez wrote in her petition for a protective order that her divorce from Huizar became final last year and that she was unaware he was dating the same teenager he met as an auxiliary until he was accused of rape .

She said she feared for her children’s safety and would request a change to their parenting plan. She filed for a modification last Friday, court records show. The protective order was issued in February and would remain in effect for a year; under this, Huizar was not allowed to possess firearms.

The Yakima Police Department said in a Facebook post Tuesday that Huizar left the department in 2021 “after receiving discipline.” It did not provide any other information.

The Richland School District said it terminated Huizar’s employment after his arrest in February. It said it received recommendations from the Yakima School District before hiring him in 2022 and that he passed background checks.