Hayes McCloud, a 24-year-old person of interest in two Pierce County, Washington, homicides, was shot and killed by police in Seaside, Oregon, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. The deaths followed a targeted attack on related family members in Puyallup and Tacoma. No officers were injured during the encounter, according to the Pierce County Sheriff.
The Timeline of the Puyallup and Tacoma Homicides
The violence began in the early hours of Wednesday, July 8, 2026. At approximately 2:40 a.m., deputies responded to a home in the 12500 block of Woodland Avenue East near Summit in Puyallup, where a 35-year-old man was found dead. According to KOMO News, the initial investigation indicated that homicidal violence started in a bedroom before extending outside the residence.
Roughly 30 minutes later, the violence shifted to Tacoma. Just after 3 a.m., the Tacoma Police Department responded to reports of gunshots in the 6900 block of East D Street. Officers discovered an adult male with gunshot wounds who died at the scene despite lifesaving efforts.
The speed and proximity of the two killings suggested a coordinated effort. FOX 13 Seattle reported that both victims were shot and killed and were related to one another.
Identifying Hayes McCloud and the Manhunt
Investigators quickly identified 24-year-old Hayes McCloud as the person of interest. He was described as a Native American man, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 115 pounds. Authorities warned the public that McCloud was armed and dangerous.
The search centered on a specific vehicle: a silver Toyota 4Runner with Washington license plate CWW5132. While The News Tribune noted the vehicle as a 1995 model, other reports identified it as a 1996 model.
The manhunt extended across county lines. Sheriff Keith Swank stated on social media that McCloud was captured by a flock camera in Lewis County around 4:00 a.m. Wednesday, providing investigators with a trajectory of his flight from the crime scenes.
The Fatal Encounter in Seaside, Oregon
The search ended Wednesday night in Seaside, Oregon. At approximately 8 p.m., Seaside police made contact with McCloud. Sheriff Swank characterized the resulting confrontation as a “major incident” that ended with McCloud being shot and killed by law enforcement.
“It appears to be related family members right now. So it appears to be a targeted attack on related family members. It doesn’t mean that other people can be in danger as well. The two scenes are connected in terms of they’re all related in the same kind of family unit. But that doesn’t mean that other people can be harmed. We don’t know where he’s at, we don’t know what his motive is.”
Carly Cappetto, spokesperson for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, via FOX 13 Seattle
While the suspect is dead, the legal process regarding the homicides remains unresolved. When asked if an arrest warrant had been issued prior to the shooting, Deputy Carly Cappetto told The News Tribune that it was too early for such a step, noting that the court process takes time, though probable cause had been established.
Analysis: Targeted Violence and Investigation Gaps
The nature of these crimes—two killings of related individuals within 30 minutes—points to a targeted domestic or familial execution rather than random violence. The fact that the first attack began in a bedroom and moved outdoors suggests a struggle or a pursuit within the home before the final fatal injuries were delivered.
The investigation now faces a critical void: the motive. Because the primary suspect was killed by police before he could be interrogated, authorities must rely on forensic evidence and witness statements to determine why McCloud targeted his family members.
The operational coordination between the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, Tacoma Police, and Seaside Police highlights the effectiveness of regional surveillance tools, such as the flock cameras in Lewis County, which allowed police to track the suspect’s movement in real-time as he fled Washington for Oregon.
Summary of the Pierce County Incident
| Detail | Puyallup Scene | Tacoma Scene |
|---|---|---|
| Time of Response | ~2:40 a.m. Wednesday | ~3:00 a.m. Wednesday |
| Location | 12500 block Woodland Ave E | 6900 block East D Street |
| Victim | 35-year-old male | Adult male |
| Initial Findings | Violence began in bedroom | Multiple gunshot wounds |
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