Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Former Police Officer Accused of Shooting Incident Outside West Richland School
The man accused of shooting and killing a woman outside of a West Richland elementary school has been identified as a former police officer who is awaiting trial on a rape charge. West Richland police identified former Yakima Officer Elias Huizar, 39, as being the suspect in the shooting outside William Wiley Elementary School about 3:20 p.m. Monday as students were being released for the day.
Identification of the Suspect and Incident Details
While serving a search warrant at his West Richland home, another person was found dead, according to an 8 p.m. news release. The victim is a known associate of the suspect. Investigators believe that Huizar is armed and considered dangerous, and is likely to commit more crimes, according to the news release.
Court documents show his ex-wife Amber Rodriguez filed last Friday for a change in custody for their two sons, ages 5 and 9. Rodriguez is listed on Wiley Elementary’s website as a paraeducator.
Lockdown and Response at the School
The school went into immediate lockdown as parents were arriving to pick up their kids and as students were getting onto buses. Parents were forced to abandon their cars in the parking lot and along the street as police officers converged on the school and began searching for Huizar.
West Richland resident Chris Worley reported hearing 4 to 5 gunshots while in his backyard. School staff rushed kids back into the building to keep them safe, and students on buses were taken back inside.
Immediate Actions and Cancellations
Classes at Wiley Elementary were canceled for the following day, but all other Richland School District schools were scheduled to be open. State testing at the high schools was reportedly delayed until another day.
The Uvalde Foundation, a national nonprofit, is offering support and resources for victims and community members impacted by the incident. They have opened their 24-hour national school crisis response hotline for communities in need.
Background and Previous Allegations
Rodriguez and Huizar divorced in 2020, and she recently filed for a protection order after he was charged with raping a teenage girl. Huizar is a former Yakima police officer and school resource officer who was arrested on the rape charge on February 3.
Further Investigations and Legal Proceedings
Detectives are investigating if Huizar’s girlfriend was of legal age when she became pregnant. Huizar posted bail and was released from jail, with conditions set for him not to contact the victims.
Anyone with information on Huizar’s whereabouts is urged to contact local authorities immediately.
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