In a tragic culmination of a multi-state manhunt, Elias Huizar, a 40-year-old former police officer, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a police pursuit in Oregon. Huizar, suspected of murdering his ex-wife and girlfriend earlier this week in West Richland, Washington, was found deceased after his vehicle crashed during a chase near Eugene on Interstate 5. Oregon State Police confirmed that prior to the fatal crash, an exchange of gunfire occurred, although no injuries were reported from the initial confrontation.
The chase began after Oregon State Police spotted Huizar driving southbound on Tuesday afternoon, following a tip from Portland police. After a minor collision and subsequent gunfire exchange with the police, Huizar managed to drive off, only to crash into another vehicle a few miles later. Upon reaching the crash site, police discovered Huizar dead from a gunshot wound. The entire ordeal unfolded shortly after Huizar allegedly shot a woman outside William Wiley Elementary School in West Richland, where police later discovered another female victim at his residence.
Amid these harrowing events, authorities safely recovered 1-year-old Roman Santos, who had been abducted by Huizar following the shootings. The child was found unharmed and is now in state custody. The incident, which began in Washington and extended into Oregon, had prompted an Amber Alert as Huizar was believed to be fleeing toward Mexico. Huizar had been previously employed as a police officer and faced serious charges, including sexual assault, before these latest accusations.
Pic Courtesy: google/ images are subject to copyright
