West Richland murder suspect possibly spotted in Portland, police say

WEST RICHLAND, Wash. -- April 23, 7:30 a.m.: According to West Richland Police, the Portland Police Department reached out and said Elias Huizar was potentially spotted in Portland, Oregon driving a black sedan.

West Richland Police said all resources will be following up on this lead.

9:45 p.m. Washington State Patrol has issued an Amber Alert for 1-year-old Roman Huizar, the son of the West Richland shooter suspected of killing his ex-wife and girlfriend.

Police believe the suspect, Elias Huizar, may be headed to Mexico. He is considered armed and dangerous.

If you see Huizar, call 911 immediately. Authorities said it is likely he will commit more crimes until he is caught.

9:15 p.m. - A manhunt is underway for a former YPD officer who is suspected of killing a woman outside William Wiley Elementary School.

Elias Huizar is to be considered armed and dangerous. Around 7:30 p.m., law enforcement said they found the body of another person inside Huizar's home on South Highlands Boulevard. Neither person's identity has been released. It is against the policy of Apple Valley News Now to release the name of a person who has died until it is released by officials or members of the family.

If you see Huizar, call 911 immediately. Authorities said it is likely he will commit more crimes until he is caught.

UPDATE 8 P.M.: Authorities have reported a second homicide victim has been found inside the home of a man suspected of killing a woman outside a West Richland elementary school.

According to the West Richland Police Department, authorities found a victim while serving a search warrant at the home of Elias Huizar, who reportedly shot and killed a woman outside William Wiley Elementary School on Monday afternoon.

"No information about the victim’s identity is being released at this time, except to say that it is not Huizar but that the victim is a known associate of the suspect," police said in a news release. "Investigators believe that Huizar is armed and considered dangerous and is likely to commit more crimes."

Huizar is also a former school resource officer with the Yakima Police Department and a former Richland School District employee. He’s been charged with second-degree rape of a minor incapable of giving consent and third-degree rape of a child in two separate cases.

Investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating Huizar and are looking for a silver 2009 Toyota Corolla with Washington plates CBZ4745.

Anyone who sees the vehicle or the suspect should call 911 and refer to the West Richland homicide case.

UPDATE 7:13 P.M.: Our crew at the active SWAT standoff said a loud bang was heard and several police crews walking up to the house and attempting to breach.

UPDATE 7:10 P.M.: The West Richland Police Department has identified the suspect in a fatal shooting outside an elementary school as Elias Huizar.

Police said Huizar was last seen driving a 2009 silver Toyota Corolla CBZ4745. Anyone who sees him should call 911.

Huizar is a former school resource officer with the Yakima Police Department and a former Richland School District employee. He’s been charged with second-degree rape of a minor incapable of giving consent and third-degree rape of a child in two separate cases.

UPDATE 6:30 p.m.: The West Richland Police Department has confirmed that one woman was killed in a shooting Monday afternoon on the grounds of Wiley Elementary School.

Officers responded at 3:23 p.m. to a shooting outside the school, where they found the woman dead. Police said there were no other casualties.

"We believe at this time that this is an isolated incident," police said in a social media post. "The person of interest fled the scene."

Police are asking anyone who sees anything unusual to contact the West Richland Police Department at its non-emergency number at 509-628-0333 or 911 if it is an emergency.

UPDATE: Richland School District sent parents a Critical Lockdown notification email regarding the shooting.

Richland School District said there was a shooting at William Wiley Elementary school in West Richland during dismissal.

According to RPD, students and staff were moved inside the buildings and placed into a critical lockdown. Students who were on buses but still waiting at the school were also moved inside.

Original Coverage

A manhunt is underway after a suspected shooting at William Wiley Elementary School.

At this time the whereabouts of the suspected shooter are unknown, but the police are actively searching for them.

Some area schools are on lockdown while the scene is active.

The call for help came in around 3 p.m. at Wiley Elementary.

At this time there is only one known victim and their condition has not yet been released.

This is a developing breaking news story and will be updated as information is released.

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