U.S. Attorney Clinton J. Johnson | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal jury has found Bruce Mitchell Cass, a 50-year-old resident of Tulsa and member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, guilty on several charges. These include assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country, carrying, using, brandishing, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The incident occurred in July 2024 when Tulsa Police Officers responded to reports of a shooting. Upon arrival at the scene, they discovered the victim had been shot once in the abdomen. The victim was provided medical assistance and taken to a local hospital for emergency surgery. Prior to undergoing surgery, the victim identified Cass as the shooter.
Witnesses recounted that an earlier altercation at the residence involved someone being sprayed with wasp spray. Police officers were called to document this incident. Later that evening, according to witnesses, Cass entered the home wearing a mask and pointed a gun at several individuals, including a toddler, before shooting the victim.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI alongside the Tulsa Police Department and Muscogee Creek Nation Lighthorse Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron Jolly and Ammon Brisolara led the prosecution.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021. This strategy emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence proactively, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes. More information about PSN can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.
