Man pours gasoline over family

WASILLA — A man holding a lighter poured gasoline on his entire family, hit and punched one of them to the ground, nearly ran some of them over in a car, then drove off and passed out, authorities said.

Richard Hacker, 37, of Wasilla, faces charges of second-degree assault, seven counts of third-degree assault, and a single count of fourth-degree assault in Palmer Superior Court in connection with the incident.

Family members told troopers that Hacker — recently returned from a mental healthcare facility — poured gasoline over his father-in-law, on his wife and four children present at the residence along Caribou Road off Knik-Goose Bay Road. When the father-in-law tried to stand up, he told authorities Hacker struck him with a gas can, and punched him in the face.

The confrontation began as an argument about arguments, with the father-in-law telling Hacker he was upset about arguments between Hacker and his daughter.

Hacker left, then returned with a 5-gallon gas can, which he proceeded to empty on his father-in-law and wife. When they ran out of the house, Hacker attempted to run them over with his truck, then abruptly drove off. At least one family member said Hacker had a lighter in his hand.

Troopers found the Hacker’s Red Tahoe parked in the Goose Bay Game Refuge Area a short time later.

Hacker told troopers he was in a fight, and that he had only splashed out a little gasoline, according to the affidavit.

“I had no intention of catching anyone on fire,” Hacker told troopers. “I brought gas in to scare them, sure. I wanted them out of my home.”

Hacker was in Mat-Su Pretrial jail on $25,000 cash bond with court-appointed third-party custodial requirements Monday evening.

Hacker has numerous previous misdemeanor convictions. His most recent serious court appearance (not counting minor offenses or civil courts) was for fourth-degree assault in 2008, a misdemeanor conviction set aside after a guilty plea and a suspended imposition of sentence.

Hacker’s next appearance will be a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m., June 30.