North Andover Officer Indicted, Shot in Home Confrontation

Kelsey Fitzsimmons, an off-duty North Andover police officer, was indicted by an Essex County grand jury on a charge of assault by means of a dangerous weapon related to a June incident where she was shot twice in the chest by another officer while officers served a restraining order at her home. Initially charged with armed assault with intent to murder and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, Fitzsimmons pleaded not guilty and maintains she never pointed her gun at officers, asserting body camera footage will support her claim. The restraining order was filed by the father of her newborn, and Fitzsimmons says she pulled the trigger only while pointing a gun at her own head after passing her child to a colleague. She has been diagnosed with postpartum depression and has stated she has been receiving treatment. Fitzsimmons was initially held without bail, but was later granted bail after her arraignment in Essex Superior Court, although a judge noted no satisfactory release plan has been presented to ensure community safety. Her attorney and prosecutors have declined to comment extensively ahead of court proceedings.