Bruce Hively
The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office has officially ruled the fire that occurred on the property of murder suspect Bruce Hively in April as arson. According to Public Information Officer Michael Duchesne a “Blue Ribbon Arson Award” sign has been posted asking for the public’s assistance in solving the crime.
According to the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office website, the Blue Ribbon Arson Committee (BRAC) was founded under the Ohio FAIR Plan Underwriting Association in 1973 and is comprised of law enforcement officers, firefighters and members of the insurance industry. The SFM FEIB participates with this group in offering a monetary reward for information leading to arrest and prosecution of persons suspected of setting fires.
“Investigators want to hear from anyone who saw something out of the ordinary at or around the time of the fire or who may have heard someone speaking about the fire with an unusual level of interest or knowledge,” said Duchesne. “We would ask anyone with information call our tip line at 1-800-589-2728.”
Earlier story posted on April 17, 2013
Bruce Hively, 56, Crown City was indicted for aggravated murder, murder and tampering with evidence by the Gallia County Grand Jury last week in connection with the shooting death of 18-year-old Charles T. Addis.
A gun specification was included in both the murder and aggravated murder charges. According to the indictment, Hively is charged with tampering with evidence for allegedly placing a knife, which belonged to him, under Addis’ body.
Hively was placed on a $750,000, 10 percent bond.
Earlier story posted April 10, 2013
Bruce A. Hively,56, Crown City was arraigned in the Gallipolis Municipal Court on charges of aggravated murder and murder in the shooting death of 18-year-old Charles T. Addis.
According to court records, Hively is accused of shooting Addis on April 4, 2013 on Elliott Road in the immediate vicinity of Dickie Chapel Church.
According to the complaint filed with the Gallipolis Municipal Court, witnesses said Addis and two others were at the location when Hively allegedly drove past them, turned around and came back to where they were located. A confrontation between Hively, Addis and the two other witnesses reportedly took place prior to Hively allegedly shooting and killing Addis. According to the document, Addis was allegedly shot twice while standing and two more times after he was on the ground.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 15 at 9 a.m. in the Gallipolis Municipal Court. Hively is being held on a $1,000,000, 10 percent bond and has retained defense attorney Charles Knight as counsel. Further charges could be filed through the next Gallia County Grand Jury.
On Tuesday, fire departments responded to Hively’s residence on Elliott Road where several fires were reported, including a structure and several vehicles. The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s office is currently investigating.
At 8:11 p.m. this evening, Guyan Township and Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Departments responded again to the Hively property on a report of a small fire at the residence. The Gallia County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Departments were still on the scene as of 10:15 p.m. The Fire Marshal’s Office has been notified.
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