A Tompkins County man is accused of pouring gasoline on a woman, her two children and their home before attempting to ignite it during a domestic dispute Saturday morning.
Deputies and New York State Police responded to a home on Schwan Drive around 10:18 a.m. after receiving reports of a disturbance. While officers were en route, witnesses reported that 53-year-old Matthew Demming had poured gasoline on the residence before leaving the scene.
According to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation determined that Demming allegedly violated a court-issued order of protection when he arrived at the home.
Authorities said an argument broke out on the front porch before Demming allegedly grabbed a gasoline can and poured fuel on the woman, her two children and the residence. Investigators allege he then tried to ignite the gasoline with a lighter, but a witness intervened and physically removed him from the scene.
Deputies located Demming a short time later and took him into custody. He was charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree criminal contempt, aggravated family offense and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Members of the Varna Volunteer Fire Company assisted in decontaminating the victims, and Demming was remanded to the Tompkins County Jail on $100,000 cash bail or a $200,000 bond following arraignment.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.
