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Manhunt underway for former cop after 2 women found dead and 1-year-old child abducted
Authorities in central Washington are searching for a man accused of murdering two women this week and abducting a 1-year-old child as he set out on the run. The suspect was identified as 40-year-old Elias Huizar, a former police officer who fled the scene of a deadly shooting at an elementary school that afternoon in the city of West Richland. He is believed to be armed and considered dangerous.
Huizar was seen driving a black sedan overnight Monday into Tuesday, the West Richland Police Department said in their latest social media update about the ongoing manhunt. They received the tip from police in Portland, Oregon.
Huizar allegedly shot one woman dead outside of William Wiley Elementary School before authorities executed a search warrant on his home and discovered the body of another homicide victim, West Richland police said after responding to the incident at around 3:30 p.m. PT. No other casualties were reported in connection with the shooting.
The women killed were Huizar’s ex-wife and girlfriend, according to an Amber Alert issued by Washington State Patrol on behalf of West Richland police at around 9:45 p.m. Monday night. It extends from Washington to Oregon. Richland Police did not share the identity of either of the two victims in their own statements about the murders, although they said the person found dead in Huizar’s home “is a known associate of the suspect.”
Huizar previously worked as a police officer in Yakima, which is about an hour from West Richland by car, CBS affiliate KIRO reported. His tenure with the police department lasted from 2014 to 2022. Earlier this year, Huizar was accused in Yakima of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl and charged with second-degree rape and furnishing alcohol for minors, according to KEPR, another CBS affiliate in the area. Separately, Huizar faces a third-degree rape charge for allegedly having an intimate relationship over several years with a girl who is now 17 years old, according to the news station.
CBS contacted the Benton County Prosecutor’s Office, where the rape charges were brought against Huizar, for more information but did not receive an immediate reply.
The Amber Alert extends from Washington into Oregon, according to West Richland police. They believe Huizar is traveling to Mexico with the abducted child, and originally flagged to the public a silver 2009 Toyota Corolla with Washington state license plates, which police said he had used to flee the scene of the school shooting. It was issued for the apparent abduction of 1-year-old Roman Huizar, who officials described as 2 feet tall with brown hair and brown eyes. The child’s relationship to Elias Huizar was not explicitly noted.
Police have asked for help as they work to locate the suspect, as they said he “is likely to commit more crimes.” Huizar is 5 feet 6 inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes, according to the description. He was last seen wearing a black hat, a black long-sleeved shirt, light blue jeans and black shoes. The Amber Alert included images of both Huizar and the 1-year-old child.
Anyone who sees Huizar’s vehicle should call 911 to be directed to the West Richland homicide case, police said. His license plate number is CBZ4745.
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Gold has long been considered a smart way to hedge against inflation and diversify portfolios. Thanks to its historic reputation for maintaining and even rising in value during inflationary cycles, many have turned to the precious metal in recent years. Its ability to offset volatility in other assets has been attractive for investors of all ages. But with inflation cooling, interest rate cuts being issued and the price of the metal high, some investors may want to reconsider their approach to gold now.
This is particularly true for seniors who may have been considering adding a layer of gold to their investments. Long considered a safe-haven asset for seniors and older adults, many may be wondering about the benefits and security of investing in the metal amid today’s changing economic climate. Below, we’ll break down three things seniors should about the safety of gold investing now.
See which gold investment makes sense for you here.
Is gold still safe for seniors to invest in?
To better determine the value and safety of investing in gold now, seniors should account for the following three factors:
The price
The price of gold, not accounting for a minor drop to start November, has risen to multiple record highs so far in 2024, with the potential to hit $3,000 before the end of the year. This elevated price needs to be evaluated by seniors, particularly when compared to lower entry price points for alternative assets. That said, it may be smart to invest in gold now since the metal is down from a recent record high. Waiting could result in the price rising again, making any investment prohibitive — and you’ll miss out on the protection the metal can provide in the interim, too.
Learn more about the price of gold online now.
The need for portfolio protection
How have your investments been performing lately? The need for the type of portfolio protection gold can provide can help determine whether now is the right (or safe) time to invest. If your portfolio is already properly diversified then you may be able to skip an investment in gold. But if it’s been volatile, it may be better to offset stocks and bonds performance with a portion of gold.
In other words: Gold can be a safe and smart investment if your portfolio is underperforming, but investing in it without reason or strategic intention would be a risky move, particularly for seniors who may find more benefit in income-producing assets.
The intended use
With the price rising for much of 2024 and the rare opportunity to turn a quick profit by buying gold cheaply and selling it for a profit, it may be tempting to overinvest in the metal now. But that wouldn’t be safe for any investor, particularly seniors who can’t wait long-term for an asset to grow in value. So if that’s your intended use for gold investing now, it may not be a safe way to invest. But if you’re planning to depend on it for balance against other assets, an investment limited to 10% or less of your overall portfolio could be safe.
The bottom line
Ultimately, the safety and value of any investment is dependent on the individual. For some seniors, a gold investment with the price high and stock market performance strong, could be risky. For others, however, it can offer valuable portfolio protection and security at a time in life when the appetite and ability to sustain risk is lower. Only you will know which group you fall in. So explore your options carefully and consider speaking to a financial advisor or gold investing professional who can help answer any questions you may have in advance of an investment.
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