Trending Now - Kelsey Fitzsimmons's Trial Begins With Opening Day Proceedings
WHO:
Kelsey Fitzsimmons, 28, North Andover police officer
Patrick Noonan, fellow officer involved in the incident
Justin Aylaian, Fitzsimmons' fiancé who obtained the restraining order
James Gubitose, Assistant Essex District Attorney
Timothy Bradl, Fitzsimmons' defense attorney
Judge Jeffrey Karp, presiding over the trial
WHAT:
Kelsey Fitzsimmons is facing a bench trial for one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of assault with intent to murder.
The grand jury indicted Fitzsimmons with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in Essex Superior Court in June 2025.
Assistant Essex District Attorney James Gubitose stated in opening statements, "The defendant raised her gun," and emphasized that "there are two reasons that Patrick Noonan is alive today."
Gubitose described the incident as a near-fatal assault rather than a mental health crisis.
Fitzsimmons' defense attorney, Timothy Bradl, argued that she was struggling with postpartum depression and was attempting suicide, stating, "She made a decision for herself. It's a decision that takes your breath away."
Bradl claimed that the officer who shot Fitzsimmons was panicked, saying, "The evidence will show that he is not some super cool James Bond type, law enforcement officer, that he has a look of panic on his face."
Kelsey Fitzsimmons was shot by Patrick Noonan during a confrontation on June 25th, 2025.
Fitzsimmons was charged with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.
The grand jury indicted her with one count of assault with a dangerous weapon.
Fitzsimmons has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Prosecutors allege she attempted to shoot Noonan while he was serving her a restraining order.
The defense claims Fitzsimmons was attempting suicide and did not point the gun at officers.
WHERE:
Incident occurred at Fitzsimmons' home in North Andover, Massachusetts.
Fitzsimmons was arraigned at the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center.
WHEN:
Incident date: June 25th, 2025.
Fitzsimmons was arraigned on August 28th, 2025.
Trial began on March 23rd, 2026.
WHY:
Fitzsimmons was allegedly under emotional distress due to a restraining order obtained by her fiancé, which required her to have no contact with her child and surrender her weapons.
HOW:
Prosecutors allege that Fitzsimmons retrieved a firearm from another room and confronted officers, but the gun did not fire because there was no round in the chamber.
Fitzsimmons retrieved a firearm from another room during the confrontation.
Prosecutors stated that the gun did not fire because there was no round in the chamber.
Officers attempted to defuse the situation by pleading with Fitzsimmons to drop the gun.
(UPDATED March 24, 2026 01:44 UTC)
Kelsey Fitzsimmons is currently facing a bench trial on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with intent to murder, stemming from a grand jury indictment in June 2025. During the trial, Assistant Essex District Attorney James Gubitose described the incident as a near-fatal assault, emphasizing that Fitzsimmons raised her gun during the confrontation with officers, although it did not fire due to an empty chamber. In her defense, attorney Timothy Bradl argued that Fitzsimmons was struggling with postpartum depression and claimed that the responding officer acted out of panic during the incident.
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(UPDATED March 23, 2026 23:45 UTC)
Today marks the start of the trial for Kelsey Fitzsimmons, a 28-year-old police officer from North Andover, who was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon after a confrontation with fellow officer Patrick Noonan on June 25, 2025. Prosecutors allege that Fitzsimmons attempted to shoot Noonan while he was serving her a restraining order obtained by her fiancé, Justin Aylaian, which required her to surrender her weapons and have no contact with her child, while her defense claims she was in a state of emotional distress and did not aim the gun at the officers. The incident unfolded at Fitzsimmons' home, where she retrieved the firearm during the confrontation, but prosecutors noted that it did not fire because there was no round in the chamber.