In the quiet community of Gig Harbor, Washington, the evening of April 8, 2025, was shattered by the sound of a large explosion and the subsequent eruption of a house fire on 14th Avenue Northwest. First responders arrived at the scene to find the newly rented home engulfed in flames. Amid the chaos, the bodies of two men were discovered inside the charred remains of the residence.
One of the victims was identified as 64-year-old Oliverio Huitron-Rosalez, a male resident of Gig Harbor.
The investigation into the blaze quickly turned into a homicide inquiry. The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office determined that Oliverio Huitron-Rosalez did not perish in the fire but died from a gunshot wound to the head. The second victim, identified as his 31-year-old son, Alejandro Huitron Campos, also died from a gunshot wound to the head. The suspicious nature of the fire, which investigators believe was intentionally set to conceal the murders, prompted a thorough investigation involving the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Pierce County Fire Marshal. Evidence recovered from the scene included a bullet casing and a red gas can.
More than a month after the incident, on May 20, 2025, a significant breakthrough was made in the case. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office arrested 25-year-old Luis Huitron Campos, the son of Oliverio and the brother of Alejandro. The arrest took place in Lakewood, where the suspect had been staying. Investigators utilized cell phone tracking technology, which placed Luis's phone at the scene of the crime around the time of the fire. Further investigation uncovered that he had purchased a 9mm pistol in December 2024, and ballistics tests linked the firearm to the murders. A search of his car also revealed a rag that tested positive for an accelerant.
Luis Huitron Campos was charged with two counts of aggravated murder and one count of arson. During his arraignment, prosecutors described the killings as "close-range executions" and argued that the fire was a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, and bail was set at $5 million. While a clear motive has not been established, court documents mention that Oliverio Huitron-Rosalez was a commercial fisherman who had recently withdrawn a large sum of money from an investment account. Family members also noted that the suspect did not attend the memorial services for his father and brother. The investigation into the double homicide is ongoing.
