A former North Andover police officer, Kelsey Fitzsimmons, testified in her assault trial that she never aimed her gun at a fellow officer during a June 2025 confrontation. Fitzsimmons, who was shot by a colleague in the incident, pleaded not guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.
Fitzsimmons stated on the stand that she was attempting to take her own life when officers arrived to serve a restraining order obtained by her fiancé, Justin Aylaian. Defense attorney Timothy Bradl questioned whether Fitzsimmons had moved her gun toward Officer Patrick Noonan, to which she responded, “No, never.”
Prosecutors allege Fitzsimmons pointed a gun at Noonan and tried to fire it as the officer served the restraining order. The 28-year-old was initially charged with armed assault with intent to murder and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. However, a grand jury later indicted her on a single count of assault with a dangerous weapon. Her trial is proceeding as a bench trial in Essex Superior Court.
During testimony, Fitzsimmons described the moment she was shot, saying she experienced an adrenaline shock and intense burning sensation but remained alert despite a punctured lung. Emergency responders transported her to the hospital, where she repeatedly expressed a desire to die.
The defense maintains Fitzsimmons never intended harm to her colleagues and sought only to take her own life. Prosecutors rested their case on March 25, 2026.
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