The Vermont State Police disseminates news releases for significant criminal or public safety incidents and arrests. These releases are not intended to document every public contact or response to a call-for-service. If you have a question regarding an incident or case, please contact your local state police barracks or the public information officer. Please note news releases are available on this blog for at least 30 days following their public release. Releases are generally archived the second month after publication. Please contact the public information officer if you need access to one that is older.

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February 22, 2026

Williston Barracks/Domestic Assault, Assault on a Protected Professional

VSP News Release-Incident

STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE

NEWS RELEASE
       
CASE#: 26A1001547
RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Tyler Silva                          
STATION: Williston                    
CONTACT#: 802-878-7111

DATE/TIME: February 22, 2026, at 0059 hours
INCIDENT LOCATION: East Hill Road, Richmond, VT
VIOLATION: Domestic Assault, Assault on a Protected Professional-Bodily Fluids

ACCUSED: Bridgit Jewell                                  
AGE: 39
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Colchester, VT

VICTIM: (The Vermont State Police does not release the names of victims of
sexual assault or domestic violence.)
AGE:
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE:

VICTIM: Paramedic Eric Matens
AGE: 31
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Williston, VT

VICTIM: AEMT Jillian Leikauskes
AGE: 34
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Richmond, VT

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On February 22, 2026, at approximately 0059 hours, Troopers assigned to the Williston Barracks were dispatched to a report of a family fight at a residence located on East Hill Road in the Town of Richmond. Subsequent investigation revealed that Bridgit Jewell (39) of Colchester, VT had committed the offense of domestic assault by causing bodily harm to a household member. Jewell also committed the offense of Assault on a Protected Professional with Bodily Fluids by spitting on responding members of Richmond Rescue and the Williston Fire Department.

Jewell was subsequently arrested and later released on citation to appear at the Chittenden County Superior Court-Criminal Division on April 7, 2026, at 0830 hours to answer to the aforementioned charges.

The Vermont State Police was assisted in this incident by the Williston Police Department, Williston Fire Department, and Richmond Rescue.


COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 4/7/26 at 0830 hours          
COURT: Chittenden
LODGED - LOCATION: N/A  
BAIL: N/A
MUG SHOT: NOT AVAILABLE

*Please note:  court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of
the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.


Tpr. Tyler Silva & K9 Axel

Vermont State Police

A Troop-Williston

3294 St. George Road

Williston, Vermont 05495

Tel: 802-878-7111



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