Authorities confirm former Washington officer’s second victim was 17-year-old with whom he had a baby

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

Elias Huizar, 39, a former Yakima police officer, fled Monday afternoon after killing two people, including his ex-wife, Amber Rodriguez, 31, who he shot eight times outside an elementary school in West Richland in front of their 9 12-year-old son and other witnesses, police said. Rodriguez had recently obtained a protection order against Huizar.

Police said they found the other victim Monday at Huizar’s home. On Wednesday, they confirmed that the victim was Angelica M. Santos, 17, whom Huizar met several years ago in her role as a resource officer at a Yakima middle school, according to court records.

He got her pregnant when she was 15, according to a court filing by Rodriguez. Their 1-year-old baby was found safe Tuesday in the vehicle Huizar was driving when he exchanged gunfire with Oregon State Police troopers and then shot himself.

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

Days later, Rodriguez wrote in her request for a protection order that her divorce from Huizar became final last year and that she did not know he was in a relationship with the same teenager he had met as a resource officer until he is indicted. grated.

She said she feared for her children’s safety and would seek a change to their parenting plan. She filed a request for modification last Friday, according to court records. The protection order was issued in February and was to remain in effect for a year; under this text, Huizar was prohibited from possessing firearms.

The Yakima Police Department said in a Facebook post Tuesday that Huizar left the department in 2021 “after receiving disciplinary action.” He provided no further information.

The Richland school district said it fired Huizar after his arrest in February. He said he received recommendations from the Yakima School District before hiring him in 2022 and that he passed a background check.