A Newtown man was being held at the Bridgeport Correctional Center on August 15 on multiple charges stemming from a violent domestic dispute at his southern Newtown home on the morning of August 10.

Being held on $100,000 bail was James Handley MacDonald, 24, who is charged with first-degree arson, first-degree criminal mischief, third-degree assault of an elderly person, disorderly conduct, second-degree threatening, and second-degree reckless endangerment. First-degree arson is a Class A Felony. First-degree criminal mischief is a Class D felony.

Police said they received a call about 6:14 am on August 10 reporting an assault in progress at the home. On arriving, police found MacDonald crouching near a fence in the back yard and he was quickly taken into custody, police said.

Two adults were in the building at the time of the incident, police said. MacDonald went into a rage for an unknown reason and began damaging the house, including setting a pillowcase on fire.

At one point, MacDonald pointed an air rifle at a victim and pulled the trigger, but it failed to fire, after which MacDonald hit the victim in the head with the rifle, police said.

The Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps treated both victims at the scene.

Police initially held MacDonald on $20,000 bail for an August 12 court arraignment. In court, a judge increased that bail to $100,000 based on the seriousness of the charges. MacDonald did not plead to the charges. He is scheduled to return to court on August 26. He is represented by a public defender.

Police spokesman Lieutenant Aaron Bahamonde said, “Obviously, this is a very dangerous situation for the victims... MacDonald faces some very serious charges for his actions.”