Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Bruce Bussell

On Nov. 11, 2020, at about 6:35 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 200 block of Heck Creek Road in Hoopa to assist the Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Department with the report of arson.

Deputies arrived on scene and observed the underside of the residence smoldering. Deputies made contact with two female victims, who had reportedly been attempting to put out the fire.

The victims told deputies that the suspect, 32-year-old Bruce Kenuh Bussell, arrived outside the residence uninvited. Bussell was reportedly restricted from being at the residence due to prior incidents. The victims, who were inside at the time, heard noises coming from outside the residence. Through a window, the victims reportedly observed Bussell set fire to the home and then flee. The victims contacted 9-1-1 and began putting out the fire. No one was injured during this incident.

While deputies were on scene investigating, Bussell returned to the residence and was taken into custody.

Bussell was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of attempted murder (PC 664/187(a)), arson of an inhabited structure (PC 451(b)), throwing a substance at a vehicle (VC 23110(B)), vandalism (PC 594(B)(1)) and possession of a controlled substance (HS 11377(A)).

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.