Hawai’i Island police have arrested and charged 38-year-old George Dale Foote Jr., of Pahoa, with an array of offenses following a violent incident involving a juvenile that occurred on Tuesday afternoon, July 2, 2024, at a residence in Puna.
On July 2, 2024, at approximately 4:00 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, where Foote reported intruder(s) on his property. Upon officer’s arrival they contacted a female party, who is Foote’s live-in girlfriend and mother of the 15-year-old male victim, who was visiting the residence.
The juvenile victim stated to officers after knocking on the residence, Foote came out, threatened him and instructed him to leave and then grabbed a small bucket with what was believed to be gasoline and a torch lighter from the back of his pickup truck. When the victim requested to speak with his mother, Foote threatened to pour the gasoline on him and light him on fire. After Foote called out for the victim’s mother, who did not come out of the residence, he doused the victim with the gasoline causing the victims eyes to burn. The victim retreated to the roadway where Foote followed after him and the victim reported hearing Foote ignite the torch lighter.
Foote was subsequently arrested at the scene without incident.
The juvenile was treated at the scene by Hawai’i Fire Department personnel.
On Thursday, July 4, 2024, after conferring with the Hawai’i County Prosecutor’s Office, detectives with the Area I Juvenile Aid Section charged Foote with the following offenses:
- Terroristic Threatening in the first degree
- Attempted Assault in the first degree
- Assault in the second degree
- Assault in the third degree
- Reckless Endangering in the second degree
Foote’s bail was set at $24,000 and he was later released on bond.
Foote is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Thursday afternoon, August 1, 2024, in Puna District Court.
