Steven Root charged with family violence, arson after incident at Dededo home

A man on pretrial release is facing aggravated assault, family violence, and arson charges after allegedly assaulting another man and burning his home, according to a magistrate report filed in the Superior Court of Guam.

Guam police department officers responded to a disturbance at a Dededo residence early Thursday morning. When they arrived, they saw a wooden and tin structure home engulfed in flames.

Police met with the owner of the home who said earlier that day, Steven James Bamba Root was upset over food and then allegedly picked up a hammer, aiming for the owner's face but struck his hand instead, court documents state.

While the owner was on the 911 call to police, he saw Root light a piece of paper with a lighter and threw it towards the couch. Root then went to the front of the residence and watched the home burn.

The owner also told officers that Root had burned down the house before.

Root admitted to arguing with and throwing the hammer at the man.

He initially denied starting any fire, but later admitted that he did light a piece of paper and put it inside the wall of the house.

Root is charged with aggravated assault, family violence and arson, all as third degree felonies

According to court documents, Root appears to be on pretrial release and has a bench warrant for another case.