A Massachusetts judge has found former North Andover police officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons not guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon after a June 2025 standoff in which she was shot by a fellow officer. Judge Jeffrey Karp delivered the verdict following nearly four hours of deliberation in Essex Superior Court, where Fitzsimmons had waived her right to a jury trial.
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Fitzsimmons, 29, faced charges related to an incident when officers arrived at her home to serve a restraining order filed by her ex-fiancé and take custody of her infant child. Prosecutors alleged that Fitzsimmons pointed a gun at Officer Patrick Noonan and attempted to fire it. Fitzsimmons denied these claims, testifying that she was attempting to commit suicide, not targeting Noonan.
In court, Fitzsimmons described experiencing intense physical trauma after being shot by Noonan and stated she repeatedly told first responders she wanted to die. The grand jury initially indicted her on assault with intent to murder and assault with a dangerous weapon charges, but ultimately maintained only a single weapon assault count.
Judge Karp ruled that the prosecution had not met its burden to prove Fitzsimmons intentionally assaulted Officer Noonan with a dangerous weapon. He specifically cited reasonable doubt and found no evidence of conspiracy during the incident. Karp also acknowledged the difficult circumstances faced by the responding officers.
Prosecutors had emphasized Fitzsimmons’ gun was empty during closing arguments, asserting that her version of events was impossible. The Essex County District Attorney’s Office defended the indictment as supported by credible police testimony and evidence but stated its disagreement with the verdict while commending the professionalism of all officers involved.
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