Updated 1:40 p.m.
ANCHORAGE – A Wasilla man accused of pouring gasoline on his family in an apparent attempt to set them on fire is facing several assault charges, authorities say.
Alaska State Troopers say 37-year-old Richard Hacker assaulted a family member who tried to stop him as he poured gasoline on family members at the Caribou Road home Friday evening.
Hacker ran away before troopers arrived at the home, but he was spotted “a short time later,” according to an online dispatch. According to court documents, AST found him sleeping inside his vehicle.
Hacker was taken to the Mat-Su Pretrial Facility and held without bail. He is charged with one count of second-degree assault, seven counts of third-degree assault and one count of fourth-degree assault.
In an interview with AST, Hacker said he had no intention of setting anyone on fire.
“I brought the gas in to scare them, sure. I wanted them out of my home,” he told AST, according to a sworn affidavit signed by trooper Daron Cooper.
In addition to allegedly dousing his family with gasoline, Hacker is also accused of trying hit family members with his Chevrolet Tahoe.
