In a significant development, Kelsey Fitzsimmons has been acquitted of assault with a dangerous weapon in a trial that concluded on March 26, 2026, in North Andover, Massachusetts. The case stemmed from a shooting incident on June 30, 2025, where Fitzsimmons was shot by Officer Patrick Noonan.
The trial, presided over by Judge Jeffrey Karp, featured opening statements and witness testimony that painted a complex picture of the events leading to the shooting. Fitzsimmons testified that she pointed the gun at her own head in a suicide attempt, asserting that no one else was involved.
Judge Karp deliberated for less than two hours before reaching the verdict, stating, “I am left with a reasonable doubt and I am duty-bound to find that the Commonwealth has not met its burden to prove that Ms. Fitzsimmons committed an assault by means of a dangerous weapon.” This decision came after Fitzsimmons had spent 103 days in jail following the incident.
During the trial, the prosecution argued that Fitzsimmons had lied about the circumstances of the shooting. Defense attorney Timothy Bradl urged the court, “This should be over. It should be an acquittal, your honor.” The lack of body camera footage from the officers involved added to the complexity of the case.
Fitzsimmons had been emotionally devastated after being served a restraining order by her ex-fiancé, which contributed to her mental state at the time of the incident. Her testimony revealed the depth of her distress, stating, “I wanted to kill myself, me and my gun, no one else involved.”
The incident involved two shots fired by Officer Noonan, and it was revealed that Fitzsimmons’ gun had a magazine capacity of 17 rounds, with 16 rounds present at the time. The trial highlighted the conflicting narratives surrounding the event, with the prosecution claiming Fitzsimmons’ account was physically impossible.
As the courtroom reacted to the verdict, the implications of the trial extend beyond Fitzsimmons’ acquittal, raising questions about police conduct and mental health awareness in similar situations. The community is now left to process the outcome and its broader significance.
