Prosecutors have charged former North Andover police officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons with assault with a dangerous weapon following a June 25, 2025, incident where she was shot by a colleague during an armed confrontation at her residence. Fitzsimmons, 28, has pleaded not guilty and is facing a bench trial in Essex Superior Court.
Assistant Essex District Attorney James Gubitose stated in opening arguments that Fitzsimmons pointed a service weapon at fellow officer Patrick Noonan as he served a restraining order obtained by her fiancé. Prosecutors contend she attempted to fire but no round discharged because no bullet was chambered. Noonan subsequently shot Fitzsimmons after issuing repeated commands to drop the weapon.
Fitzsimmons’ attorney, Timothy Bradl, argued the shooting stemmed from her client’s suicide attempt and struggles with postpartum depression. He denied that Fitzsimmons aimed the gun at officers and said the shooting was a “misinterpretation” by Noonan, who was trying to prevent her from harming herself.
The restraining order mandated Fitzsimmons have no contact with her child and surrender her firearms. Prosecutors claim she retrieved a gun from another room after officers arrived. Fitzsimmons waived her right to a jury trial, leaving the verdict to be decided by Judge Jeffrey Karp.
The case hinges on conflicting accounts of whether Fitzsimmons intended to assault the officer or harm herself. The shooting ended without fatal injury, with prosecutors highlighting Noonan’s tactical training as a factor in his survival.
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