Five People Dead from Shootings on Yakama Indian Reservation – One Suspect Remains At Large

Breaking News

Published June 9, 2019

YAKAMA INDIAN RESERVATION — Five people have died as the result of three different shootings around the city of White Swan on the Yakama Indian Reservation in Washington state. The shootings happened within about an hour of each other on Saturday night.

Four of the victims are reportedly American Indians and the other is non-Native. At press time, the victims have not been identified and information surrounding the shootings has not been released to the public.

One person, who is a considered a person of interest is in custody. One other person of interest remains at large. He reportedly may have left the state.

The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, based in Toppenish, Washington, issued the following press release just over an hour ago:

Due to misidentification, one suspect remains at large in the five murders that were committed on the Yakama Reservation on Saturday, June 8, 2019. James Cloud (07/08/1983), who is pictured below, is still being sought by law enforcement agencies. James is considered armed and extremely dangerous, if you see this subject do not approach him, and call 911. If you know his whereabouts please call 911 immediately.

The FBI, Yakama Tribal Police and the Yakima County Sheriffs Department are investigating the killings.

White Swan has a population of approximately 3,000 people, with about 70 percent who are American Indians. The small city is some 170 miles southeast of Seattle.

The Yakama Tribe celebrated its 39th Cultural Center Anniversary 164th Treaty Days Commemoration the weekend. According to tribal officials, the shootings were not releated to the Treaty Days Commemoration.