An Ocala man is facing attempted murder charges after authorities say he responded to his wife’s request for a divorce by pouring gasoline on her and setting himself on fire inside their home.
Alfonza Green, 51, was arrested Tuesday and charged with arson and attempted first-degree murder following the November 30 incident.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the situation began while the victim was sitting in bed scrolling through Facebook. Green had just finished showering and getting dressed, leading his wife to believe he was leaving the house. Instead, she reported feeling a splash of “cold” liquid cover her body.
When she asked Green what he was doing, he allegedly issued a chilling ultimatum.
“If I die, we both gonna die together,” Green told her, according to WCJB. “If I have to die… if I go, you gonna go with me because we married.”
READ: Florida Roommate Killer Guilty: Microphone Stand Used To Inflict ‘Car Crash’ Level Injuries
Realizing the liquid was gasoline, the victim begged Green to stop. Investigators say Green pulled out a lighter and attempted to set her on fire, physically blocking her path to prevent her from escaping the bedroom so they could “burn together.”
While the victim managed to flee the room, Green reportedly ignited the gasoline, setting both himself and the bed ablaze. When deputies arrived at the scene, neighbors reported that Green had “lit himself on fire.” He was found suffering from burns.
During questioning, Green offered a different version of events. He told detectives that he was “tired of living” after his wife said she no longer wanted to be married. He admitted to pouring gasoline on the bed and lighting it but denied pouring it on his wife, claiming she had already left the room when the fire started.
Deputies noted that the fire posed a significant threat to the household; six other people were inside the residence at the time, including the victim’s 11-year-old grandson. No other injuries were reported.
Green remains in custody at the Marion County Jail without bond.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
