Pahoa man arrested after allegedly threatening to set teen on fire

George Dale Foote Jr., 38, of Pahoa was arrested and charged with an array of offenses following a violent incident involving a juvenile that occurred Tuesday at a residence in Puna.

At approximately 4 p.m., Puna patrol officers responded to a reported panic alarm at a residence in the area of the 15-100 block of Kamanu Street in Pahoa.

Upon arrival, police contacted a woman, who is Foote’s live-in girlfriend and mother of the 15-year-old male victim, who was visiting the residence.

The juvenile victim told the officers that after knocking on the residence, Foote came out, threatened the teen and instructed him to leave.

Foote then allegedly grabbed a small bucket with what was believed to be gasoline and a torch lighter from the back of his pickup truck. When the teenager requested to speak with his mother, Foote threatened to pour the gasoline on him and light him on fire, police said.

After Foote called out for the victim’s mother, who did not come out of the residence, he allegedly doused the victim with the gasoline, causing the his eyes to burn.

The victim retreated to the roadway. Foote allegedly followed the teen, who reported hearing Foote ignite the torch lighter.

Foote was subsequently arrested at the scene without incident.

The juvenile was treated at the scene by Hawaii Fire Department personnel.

Foote later was charged with first-degree terroristic threatening, first-degree attempted assault and three other offenses.

His bail was set at $24,000, and he was later released on bond. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Aug. 1 in Puna District Court.