PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — Detectives have confirmed that they believe two Pierce County homicides from Wednesday morning are connected, and they have launched a manhunt.
Pierce County Sheriff’s Office detectives have identified 24-year-old Hayes McCloud as a suspect in both cases.
McCloud was initially identified as a “person of interest” in the case, but the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office told KIRO 7 that he is now being labeled as a “suspect.”
McCloud is described as a 5′8″, 115lbs, man who is driving a silver 1996 Toyota 4Runner with Washington license plate CWW5132.
The Puyallup case
According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a Puyallup home at around 2:40 a.m. after someone reported finding a man dead inside the home.
Deputies say the preliminary investigation indicates there was “homicidal violence” in a bedroom that eventually led outside the home. The victim, a 35-year-old man, was found inside the home with multiple deadly injuries.
The Tacoma case
Less than 30 minutes later, officers responded to a second homicide investigation in Tacoma’s Hillsdale neighborhood. According to the Tacoma Police Department, arriving officers found one man with apparent gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
If you see Hayes, you’re asked to call 911. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.
***UPDATE Homicide Case 9:15am 7-8-2026***
— Pierce Co Sheriff (@PierceSheriff) July 8, 2026
Pierce County Sheriff detectives have identified Hayes McCloud as a person of interest in connection to the homicide. We also believe Hayes McCloud is also connected to a second homicide that occurred about 30 minutes later. pic.twitter.com/XjLL70Lx68
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