Many received an AMBER Alert late Monday night issued by Oregon State Police at the request of the Washington State Patrol. This AMBER alert was in response to the murder of two women in West Richland, Washington, and the kidnapping of one-year-old infant, Roman Santos. The suspect in these murders and kidnapping was identified as Elias Huizar, driving a 2009 Toyota Corolla with Washington plates.
Wednesday, at approximately 2:40 p.m., Oregon State Police troopers were observing Interstate 5 for the suspect when they located the vehicle southbound near milepost 221. OSP initiated a traffic stop and the suspect vehicle fled southbound. Two troopers engaged in a pursuit with the suspect vehicle at high speeds heading southbound.
Near milepost 209, there was a minor collision and the suspect vehicle lost control. An exchange of gunfire occurred prior to the vehicle fleeing again southbound. No known injuries occurred as a result of the gunfire.
Near milepost 197, the suspect crashed into a stopped CMV and stopped in the median. As troopers contacted the suspect vehicle, he was deceased of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The infant was located uninjured and removed from the vehicle.
Involved in the exchange of gunfire, was Superintendent Casey Codding and Sergeant Orly Johnson of the Oregon State Police.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office has been asked to lead the investigation.
“We are very proud of the efforts of the troopers involved in this pursuit today. Their dedication and courage are a hallmark of the character of an Oregon State Trooper. Their efforts today were paramount in bringing Roman home safely,” said OSP Captain Kyle Kennedy. “The conclusion of this search has been the culmination of the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement partners in Washington and Oregon, as well as federal contributors. Since the start, our goal has been simple—to bring Roman Santos home safely. We did it. Roman is in the care of Oregon officials.”
He also thanked the many agencies involved:
WASHINGTON: Kennewick PD, Paso PD, Richland PD, Prosser PD, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, Benton Fire Districts 1 and 4, FBI, US Marshal’s, Fish and Wildlife
OREGON: PPB, OSP, Hillsboro, and Portland FBI.
PURSUIT: OSP, Linn County Sheriff’s Office
ON SCENE: Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Eugene Police Department, Coburg Police Department
