A 53-year-old New York man remains jailed on a $200,000 bond after authorities say he poured gasoline on a woman, two children, and their home during a weekend dispute before a bystander stepped in to stop him from lighting it.
The incident took place just after 10:00 a.m. Saturday on Schwan Drive in the town of Dryden, located just outside Ithaca. According to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, Matthew J. Demming arrived on the victim’s front porch, which violated an existing order of protection.
Deputies report that an argument broke out between Demming and the woman while two children were present. During the dispute, Demming allegedly grabbed a gasoline can from the side of the house and doused the woman, the two kids, and the structure. Investigators state that Demming then produced a lighter and attempted to ignite the fuel.
The situation ended when a witness “intervened and physically removed him,” according to officials.
Sheriff’s deputies located and arrested Demming a short distance away from the scene. Firefighters arrived at the home to assist in decontaminating the victims, who did not suffer any physical injuries.
The sheriff’s office has not released the ages of the children, the relationship between Demming and the victims, or the specific cause of the dispute.
Demming faces multiple charges, including felony counts of second-degree attempted murder, criminal contempt, and aggravated family offense, alongside two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child. A future court appearance has not yet been scheduled.
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