Jose Alcaraz-Caracoza, 46, of Tacoma, Washington, died on November 10, 2024, in Yelm after an altercation at the home of 50-year-old Alvaro Cruz-Ibarra. The men had met the night before when Cruz-Ibarra stopped to help Alcaraz-Caracoza, who had run out of gas; they attended a wedding together and later went to Cruz-Ibarra’s home, where they continued drinking and reportedly engaged in intimate activity.

According to charges, a confrontation began when Cruz-Ibarra awoke and found jewelry, a watch, a wallet, and keys missing. The dispute turned physical; investigators say Alcaraz-Caracoza reportedly grabbed a knife and Cruz-Ibarra loaded a rifle and shot him. Some of Cruz-Ibarra’s items were later found in the home, and investigators suggested intoxication could explain the missing watch and rings rather than theft. Cruz-Ibarra was arrested and booked into Thurston County jail on second-degree murder with no bail set.

Anyone who knew Jose or who has information about what happened in Yelm that night is asked to come forward.