YCSO says mass murder in White Swan likely drug-related

"We’re approaching 20, and we’re not even halfway through the year," said Yakima County Sheriff Robert Udell.

Udell is talking about the county’s homicide count.

Area law enforcement had a bloody weekend, after five people lost their lives at the hands of gunmen in White Swan.

The Sheriff’s Office is working alongside the FBI and Yakama Nation Tribal Police to piece together what they say is an unusual series of events.

“Big question – why did this happen?" questioned Udell.

He says the murders are likely drug-related.

“Many of the people involved do have drug history," he said.

Udell said this whirlwind of events all started when an initial call came from people who were robbed at gunpoint, and ultimately shot in a truck in the 9400 block of Evans Road in Wapato.

Deputies say two people in the car were injured, and one victim died on the scene.

But, the surviving victims were able to lead deputies to a home in the 5100 block of Medicine Valley.

The home, still surrounded by guard dogs; and neighbors tell Action News it’s known for being a drug house.

And in this house is where the bloodshed began.

“Four more victims were discovered. One was still alive and he was flown up to Yakima where he eventually passed away," said Udell.

Between Saturday evening and Monday morning, Udell says all four suspects, believed to be responsible for this mass shooting in the small town of White Swan, including 35-year-old James Cloud, who was on the run, are now behind bars, facing murder charges.

“I’ve been here for 30 years, and I know of some four-victim homicides, but not five. I think this may be a historic high. That’s how dramatic this was. This is a big deal for us," said Udell.

Motive in the killing remains to be a question law enforcement is working to figure out.

The Yakima County Coroner says the autopsies on all five of the victims should be done by Tuesday.