Former Massachusetts State Police Officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons is planning to sue the department following her recent acquittal. She sustained a gunshot wound mere inches from her spine when a fellow officer shot her last year.
This week, she released graphic photographs of her injuries, triggered by her previous employer’s dismissive remarks on social media regarding her upcoming legal action.
In what became a notable trial, a judge ruled last Thursday that Fitzsimmons was not guilty of assaulting another police officer. The incident occurred when officers attempted to deliver a restraining order at her home; she reportedly drew her service weapon in her bedroom, although she insists her intent was self-harm.
In June 2025, Fitzsimmons was battling severe postpartum depression when three officers arrived at her residence with documents to remove her young son from her custody due to concerns raised by her ex-fiancé.
Now that the criminal proceedings have wrapped up, it seems her clash with the North Andover department is far from settled.
Following a news piece about her lawsuit plans, a Facebook comment by the North Andover Police Department caught her off guard. “Another shocking piece of news!” was posted, a remark that officials later claimed was made by a former employee who still had access to the account.
Before any attempts to manage the fallout, Fitzsimmons and her supporters expressed their anger over police conduct.
On her social media, Fitzsimmons shared a disturbing image of her gunshot injury, detailing how it exited through her chest. “This is my exit wound. It was less than an inch from my spine,” she stated publicly for the first time.
Her attorney, Tim Bradl, echoed her sentiments, responding to the police’s comment with, “Thank you NAPD for acknowledging their systematic and deliberate indifference. See you in court,” via social media.
Fitzsimmons required more than 50 days of recovery and underwent five surgeries due to the bullet puncturing her lung.
Plans are in motion for her and her attorney to file an appeal against the town this Thursday, a necessary step for her civil case to move forward.
“What value does my life have to you? That’s the feeling I have,” she expressed regarding her impending lawsuit.
Fitzsimmons and Bradl questioned why the officer involved was the one tasked with serving the documents, calling the methods used to enforce the restraining order “appalling.”
During a podcast with blogger Aidan “Turtleboy” Carney, Fitzsimmons recounted the shooting, describing the sensation as if something had burned through her insides, noting that her injury was dangerously close to her spine.
Officer Patrick Noonan, responsible for the shooting, claimed he believed Fitzsimmons was aiming her firearm at him or her ex-fiancé downstairs when he fired. He mentioned hearing a “click” as she manipulated her weapon, prompting him to react and discharge his firearm.
If you are in New York City and facing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential support. If outside the city, you can reach the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
