Former North Andover police officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons testified in her own defense during her trial, maintaining that she never intended to harm a fellow officer when a gun was discharged at her home. Fitzsimmons, 29, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon after an incident on June 30, 2025, when officers arrived to serve a restraining order filed by her then-fiancé, Justin Aylaian.
Core Facts:
- Fitzsimmons testified she was attempting suicide and pointed the gun at herself, not at Officer Patrick Noonan, who shot her.
- Prosecutors allege Fitzsimmons pointed the gun at Noonan and pulled the trigger, though the weapon did not fire due to an empty chamber.
Deeper Context:
Background of the Incident:
Fitzsimmons, who joined the North Andover police force in 2024 after working as a corrections officer, was serving as a field training officer at the time of the incident. Prosecutors claim she pointed a loaded gun at Noonan after he served the restraining order, while the defense argues she was in a mental health crisis and intended to harm only herself.
Testimony and Evidence:
- Noonan testified that Fitzsimmons pointed the gun at him and pulled the trigger, believing she intended to harm him. During cross-examination, defense attorneys questioned Noonan about prior comments he allegedly made about Fitzsimmons, including calling her a "whack job."
- Fitzsimmons’ defense team called her mother, Lauren Page, to testify about her character and mental state. The defense also plans to take the court to Fitzsimmons’ home for a site visit.
Legal Proceedings:
The trial is being overseen by Judge Jeffrey T. Karp in Essex Superior Court. Prosecutors are expected to rest their case today, with the defense presenting its arguments in the coming days. Fitzsimmons faces a single count of assault with a dangerous weapon, and the trial is jury-waived, meaning the judge will decide the verdict.
Mental Health and Police Response:
The case has raised questions about mental health crises among law enforcement officers and how such situations are handled. Fitzsimmons’ defense has emphasized her mental state at the time of the incident, while prosecutors argue that her actions posed a real threat to Noonan’s life.