The disgraced policeman who kidnapped his son after he allegedly shot and killed his ex-wife and teenage girlfriend spent two years as a substitute teacher and wrestling coach in the school district.
Elias Huizar, 39, was found in his car dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head around 3 p.m. local time on Tuesday afternoon, according to the West Richland Police Department.
Huizar killed his ex-wife Amber Rodriguez at William Wiley Elementary School on Monday afternoon during dismissal, according to Washington State Police.
Police searching for Huizar found a second victim, his girlfriend Angelica ‘Jelly’ Santos, dead in his home, which is on the same block as West Richland School. First-degree murder charges were filed against her Monday night, as well as an allegation of aggravated circumstances of domestic violence and firearms possession.
In a Facebook post published Tuesday, the Richland School District revealed that Huizar had spent at least two years as a substitute teacher and volunteer wrestling coach in the district where his wife worked.
Elías Huizar, the disgraced police officer who kidnapped his son after fatally shooting his ex-wife and teenage girlfriend, spent two years as a substitute teacher and wrestling coach in the school district.
Rodriguez was listed as a paraeducator at William Wiley Elementary School, where the couple’s nine-year-old son said Huizar shot his mother multiple times.
The school system claims they were not aware of any past misdeeds by Huizar and that he was removed from his substitute portal once he was accused of raping his underage girlfriend and her 16-year-old friend.
The Yakima Police Department said in a Facebook post Tuesday that Huizar left the department in 2021 “after receiving discipline.” He did not provide any other information.
‘The tragedies we are experiencing in West Richland are heartbreaking. “Words cannot express the deep sympathy we feel for all those affected by these terrible acts of violence,” said Chief Matthew Murray.
“We remain willing to help in any way we can.”
The Richland School District said it fired Huizar following his arrest in February.
He said he had received recommendations from the Yakima School District before hiring him in 2022 and had passed background checks.
He began the application process in November 2021, months after leaving the police department.
In a Facebook post published Tuesday, the Richland School District revealed that Huizar had spent at least two years as a substitute teacher and volunteer wrestling coach in the district where his wife worked.
Amber Rodriguez was listed as a paraeducator at William Wiley Elementary School, where the couple’s nine-year-old son said Huizar shot his mother multiple times.
The school district said they received a referral for Huizar from the principal and assistant principal at Franklin Middle School in Yakima in January and February, where he worked as a school resource officer.
The principal told the school district he was a “very good” candidate, while the assistant principal said he was “excellent.” It is unclear if the school contacted the Yakima Police Department.
Huizar went through an ’emergency substitute certificate’ application in February 2022, where he was asked if he had ever resigned or left a job because of allegations or pending allegations of misconduct.
He was also asked if he had been the subject of an investigation or investigation by an employer. She answered “no” to both questions.
The former police officer also went through an eight-hour training course, underwent a drug test and was fingerprinted to conduct a background check with state police and the FBI, and all checks came back positive.
Shortly after, they received a ‘Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Statement’ from the Yakima School District, which checked a box saying it had no materials or allegations of sexual misconduct.
He was given a reasonable security of employment notice on February 9, 2022, two days after his substitute certificate was approved.
Huizar began substitute teaching in the district just nine days later, on February 18.
Her family has identified the second victim as Angélica ‘Jelly’ Santos, 17, mother of the kidnapped one-year-old boy, Román Huizar.
The Yakima Police Department said in a Facebook post Tuesday that Huizar left the department in 2021 “after receiving discipline.” He did not provide any other information.
He returned for the next full school year and was recertified on March 26, 2023.
It last replaced the school district on June 14, 2023.
On February 14, 2024, after learning of Huizar’s arrest for the rape of a minor girl, he was removed from the school’s substitute and volunteer portals and expelled from all district buildings.
He also spent time as a volunteer wrestling coach, according to the Herald of the three cities.
“We are extremely discouraged that information about Mr. Huizar’s past was not revealed to us through the various processes we have in place to vet RSD candidates for employment,” the school district said in a statement.
‘The expectation of people applying for employment at RSD is that they be communicative and truthful in their applications.
‘No past investigations or allegations appeared in Mr. Huizar’s background checks before he was hired and Mr. Huizar did not disclose anything. We take the staff recruitment process very seriously and pride ourselves on the quality and character of our staff members.’
DailyMail.com has contacted the Yakima Police Department for comment.
In addition to working at school, Rodríguez also worked as a real estate agent.
Huizar is on the run after the Monday afternoon shooting outside William Wiley Elementary School, where his ex-wife was shot and killed.
Authorities confirmed that a body was found in Huizar’s house while they were conducting a search. Police said he also killed his girlfriend.
Huizar, 39, killed his ex-wife Amber Rodriguez at William Wiley Elementary School on Monday afternoon during dismissal, according to Washington State Police. The couple’s nine-year-old son told police that he saw his father shoot his mother several times.
Police searching for Huizar found a second victim, his girlfriend Angelica ‘Jelly’ Santos, dead in his home, which is on the same block as West Richland School.
First-degree murder charges were filed against him Monday night, as well as an allegation of aggravated circumstances of domestic violence and firearms possession.
Her one-year-old son with the teenager, Roman, was found safe and well.
A Washington State Police spokesperson confirmed to DailyMail.com that the Amber Alert has been canceled. Police were seen removing the baby from Huizar’s alleged vehicle.
