Former Yakima cop suspected of double homicide, child abduction possibly spotted in North Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. (KGW/KTVZ) — Officers are searching for a man accused of murdering two people and kidnapping a 1-year-old in eastern Washington. West Richland police received a tip that he was possibly sighted on Hayden Island in North Portland, KGW reported.
A clerk at a Plaid Pantry on Hayden Island told police that he may have seen the suspect, 39-year-old Elias Huizar, at the store just before 1 a.m. Tuesday. The West Richland Police Department (WRPD) said Portland police alerted them about the potential sighting, and that Huizar was possibly driving a black sedan. The clerk said Huizar bought a drink at the store around 12:42 a.m. and also reported seeing a child in the backseat of his vehicle, according to Portland police.
Police searched the area but did not find Huizar, the 1-year-old or the vehicle.
Around 8:45 a.m., deputies with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of Exit 30 off Interstate 84, near Benson State Park. A person reported seeing a vehicle that possibly matched information in the Amber Alert out of Washington. Law enforcement responded to the area, but did not find the vehicle.
WRPD initially said they were looking for a silver 2009 Toyota Corolla with Washington license plates CBZ4745.
RELATED: Officials searching for former Yakima cop suspected of double homicide, child abduction
Huizar is suspected of shooting and killing his ex-wife on Monday outside an elementary school in West Richland, about 3 1/2 hours outside Portland in the Tri-Cities area. The shooting happened just before 3:30 p.m. outside William Wiley Elementary, according to WRPD.
Police then served a search warrant at Huizar's home and found the body of a second victim, WRPD said. The woman has not been publicly identified, but she was believed to be Huizar's girlfriend.
Huizar is believed to have kidnapped the 1-year-old, Roman Huizar, and could be heading to Mexico. An Amber Alert was issued on Monday night.
Police believe he could be driving a silver 2009 Toyota Corolla with a Washington license plate #CBZ4745. WSP believes he could be trying to get to Mexico.
Huizar is a former Yakima cop and was due in court on Monday for the rape of a teen girl.
The WRPD said it is working with multiple regional law enforcement officials, as well as the Washington State Patrol, FBI and U.S. Marshals Service.
Anyone with information about the incidents or Huizar's whereabouts is urged to call 911.
