James Trujillo, a 46-year-old Hispanic/Latino man, was killed during a burst of violence that unfolded across Pierce County, Washington, during the early morning hours of July 8, 2026. Although the case was initially associated with the Puyallup area because it was connected to another killing there, authorities reported that Trujillo was actually shot in Tacoma.
At approximately 3:04 a.m., Tacoma police responded to reports of gunfire in the 6900 block of East D Street in the city's South End/Hillsdale area. Officers found Trujillo suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. They attempted lifesaving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Trujillo's killing occurred less than half an hour after another homicide several miles away near Puyallup. At approximately 2:40 a.m., Pierce County sheriff's deputies were called to a residence near Woodland Avenue East and 126th Street East after a man was found dead inside. That victim was later identified by his family as 35-year-old Keitwuan White. Investigators said evidence at that residence indicated that homicidal violence began in a bedroom and extended outside the home. White suffered multiple fatal injuries.
Detectives quickly determined that the Puyallup and Tacoma killings were connected. Authorities identified 24-year-old Hayes Miles McCloud of Eatonville as the suspect in both deaths and warned that he was believed to be armed and dangerous. Investigators characterized the killings as apparently targeted and involving related family members, although authorities had not established or publicly disclosed a definitive motive.
Family members provided additional context about the relationship between Trujillo and the suspected gunman. A relative told KIRO 7 that Trujillo was McCloud's uncle and said Trujillo arrived at his family's home while McCloud was allegedly attempting to break into the residence with relatives still inside. Trujillo was subsequently shot outside the home. Trujillo's daughter, Kristina, later described losing several people connected to her family in the events of that morning. She identified White as her brother-in-law and McCloud as her cousin, further illustrating how closely connected the victims and suspect were.
After the Tacoma shooting, investigators began an extensive search for McCloud. Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank said a license-plate recognition camera detected McCloud's vehicle heading south toward Lewis County at approximately 4 a.m. Authorities circulated information about McCloud and the silver Toyota 4Runner he was believed to be driving. By 1:36 p.m., Oregon State Police had received a bulletin advising that a Washington homicide suspect might be traveling into Oregon, prompting a statewide attempt to locate him.
The search eventually reached the northern Oregon coast. At approximately 6:19 p.m., Seaside police located McCloud inside the Toyota on Sunset Boulevard near Greenway Drive. Officers from Gearhart and Cannon Beach joined Seaside police as authorities attempted to take him into custody. According to Oregon State Police, McCloud opened fire as officers approached his vehicle. Officers returned fire, and McCloud drove away before his vehicle came to a stop a short distance away. Police subsequently found him dead inside. No officers were injured.
A later investigation provided additional details about McCloud's death. According to a final report from the Clatsop County District Attorney's Office, officers were conducting a high-risk traffic stop when McCloud fired through the rear window of his vehicle. After police returned fire, he fled down Sunset Boulevard and crashed into a fence. Officers waited several minutes before approaching and found McCloud slumped inside the vehicle with a rifle beside him. An autopsy determined that he died from a gunshot wound to the chest. In August 2026, the district attorney's office concluded that the officers involved were legally justified in using deadly force.
Because McCloud, the suspect identified in both Pierce County homicides, died only hours after Trujillo was killed, there was no arrest followed by criminal charges, trial, or conviction in Trujillo's death. The publicly reported investigation instead ended with McCloud's death during the confrontation with Oregon law enforcement. Investigators continued to describe the two Washington killings as targeted, while the specific reason McCloud allegedly killed Trujillo and White remained publicly unexplained.
