Connecticut Man Charged After Assaulting Woman, Kidnapping 2 Kids at Gunpoint

Authorities say Jonathan Driscoll, 26, assaulted the woman and fled with her two children before negotiating their release with police.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A 26-year-old man from Norwich, Connecticut has been arrested and charged with kidnapping, assault, and other offenses after he allegedly assaulted a woman and then fled the scene with her two children at gunpoint. Police say Driscoll is the father of one of the children, though he has no relationship with the other child. After a standoff with authorities, the children were safely returned to their mother.

Why it matters

Kidnapping and assault are serious crimes that can traumatize victims, especially children. This incident highlights the need for robust domestic violence prevention and intervention programs to address volatile situations before they escalate to violence.

The details

According to police, on Sunday, February 22, officers received a call about a woman yelling for help in the Otis Street area of Norwich. The woman told police that Jonathan Driscoll had assaulted her and then kidnapped her two children at gunpoint. Driscoll is the father of one of the children, though he has no relationship with the other child. Police say Driscoll was intoxicated and making threats about the children's safety at the time of the incident. After a brief pursuit, Driscoll negotiated with police by phone and eventually released the children unharmed. He was then taken into custody and charged with a slew of offenses including kidnapping, assault, and risk of injury to a minor.

  • The incident occurred around 6:20 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026.
  • After a brief pursuit, Driscoll negotiated with police by phone and released the children.

The players

Jonathan Driscoll

A 26-year-old man from Norwich, Connecticut who was arrested and charged with kidnapping, assault, and other offenses after allegedly assaulting a woman and kidnapping her two children at gunpoint.

Norwich Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident, pursued Driscoll, and took him into custody.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Jonathan Driscoll out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger domestic violence prevention and intervention programs to address volatile situations before they escalate to violence, as well as the importance of ensuring the safety of children caught in the middle of such incidents.