Man doused wife with gasoline, tried to set her on fire, arrest report says

By Brian Nordli

Published Wednesday, April 3, 2013 | 5:15 p.m.

Updated Wednesday, April 3, 2013 | 8:22 p.m.

A Las Vegas man attempted to burn his gasoline-soaked wife and home Monday after an argument over his desire to drive while intoxicated, a Metro Police arrest report stated.

The argument began after Melissa Ellis hid Christian Ellis’ car keys to prevent him from driving drunk from their home in the 8000 block of Villa Pulido Street, near Grand Teton and Buffalo drives, the report said. The two had been married for 18 years and had one child together, but recently Christian Ellis had become depressed over losing his job due to a DUI about three weeks ago.

Sensing that her husband might become violent, Melissa Ellis locked him out of the home when he went to search for his keys in the garage, the report said. Christian Ellis, 41, then kicked down the door to re-enter the home and began destroying items in the home.

He then walked back into the garage to retrieve gasoline and a blow torch, and began dumping the gasoline in the house telling Melissa Ellis, “I know how much you love this house; I’m going to burn it down!,” the report said.

Christian Ellis proceeded to douse Melissa Ellis with gasoline, the report said. Melissa Ellis knocked the torch and gasoline tank from her husband’s hands, but he returned with a lighter and began trying to light her on fire.

Melissa Ellis was able to kick the lighter from her husband's hands and escaped to a neighbor’s home where she called police, the report said. Their son observed the entire incident, the report said.

Police arrested Christian Ellis after a brief barricade incident. He was booked into Clark County Detention Center and has been charged with one count of attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon and fourth-degree arson.