Amber Alert issued for baby who may be with former police officer suspected in 2 murders
Authorities in Washington state have issued an Amber Alert for a 1-year-old boy after police said a former police officer reportedly killed two women − his wife and ex-girlfriend − and allegedly kidnapped the baby.
Washington State Patrol issued the alert Monday night on behalf of the West Richland Police Department, who reported the baby, identified as Roman Huizar, missing.
The city of West Richland is in Benton County about 35 miles north of the Oregon state line.
The child' father, 39-year-old Elias Huizar, is wanted on two homicide charges, police also announced Monday.
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Police: Elias Huizar killed his ex-wife, girlfriend before fleeing with baby
According to information from law enforcement, Huizar killed his ex-girlfriend outside William Wiley Elementary School in West Richland, Washington on Monday then fled the scene before officers arrived.
While later serving a search warrant at Huizar's home, West Richland Police reported, detectives and partner agencies discovered a second woman’s body at his residence.
Police have not released additional details about the women's deaths including how they were killed.
As of Tuesday police had not released the victims' names.
USA TODAY has reached out to West Richland police.
Missing baby and father last spotted in Portland
On Tuesday morning, West Richland police reported that Huizar was seen in Portland, Oregon overnight, possibly driving a black sedan.
"All resources are following up on this lead," the agency wrote in the post.
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Elias Huizar is former police officer in Yakima
Huizar is a former police officer with the Yakima Police Department, the agency's spokesperson Yvette Inzunza told USA TODAY Tuesday.
The city of Yakima is about 70 miles northwest of where the baby disappeared.
Huizar was hired by the agency in 2013 and resigned in February of 2022, Inzunza said.
USA TODAY has also reached out to Yakima police.
Double homicide suspect Elias Huizar considered armed and dangerous
Police said its possible Huizar and the child may be heading to Mexico.
Investigators said he is considered armed and considered dangerous, and likely to "commit more violent crimes."
Officials have not said whether the baby belongs to one of the homicide victims.
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What does Elias Huizar look like?
Prior to being spotted in Portland overnight, Huizar had been driving a 2009 silver Toyota Corolla with the license plate CBZ-745.
Police described Huizar as 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighing 170 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black hat, black long-sleeve shirt, light blue jeans and black shoes.
According to an Amber Alert poster, the baby is 2 feet 6 inches tall, weighs 25 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone who spots the suspect or the baby is asked to call 911.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.