June 6, 2026 - Dryden Man Charged with Attempted Murder

 

 

 

On June 6, 2026, at approximately 10:18 a.m., the Tompkins County Sheriff's Office, assisted by the New York State Police, responded to a residence on Schwan Drive in the Town of Dryden for a reported dispute. While deputies were en route, witnesses reported observing a white male pouring gasoline on a residence before leaving the scene.

During the investigation, an adult female victim alleged that Matthew J. Demming, age 53, of Dryden, arrived at the residence in violation of a court-issued Order of Protection. Upon his arrival, a verbal dispute occurred on the front porch involving Demming and the female victim while her two children were present.

It is alleged that Demming retrieved a gasoline can from beside the residence and began pouring gasoline on the female victim, the two children, and the residence. Demming attempted to ignite the gasoline with a lighter before a witness intervened and physically removed him.

Deputies located Demming in the area shortly after and took him into custody without incident. Varna Volunteer Fire Company responded to the scene and assisted in decontaminating the victims

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At the conclusion of the investigation, Demming was charged with:

Demming was transported to the Tompkins County Jail, where he was held pending arraignment through Centralized Arraignment at 8:00 PM. After the arraignment, Demming was remanded to the custody of the Sheriff and returned to the jail on court ordered $100,000/$200,000 cash/bond bail.

As with all criminal cases, the charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.