North Andover Police Officer Placed on Leave After Being Shot in Armed Confrontation While Served Restraining Order

In a shocking and complex case that has sent ripples through the North Andover community and beyond, a young Massachusetts police officer has been placed on administrative leave following an armed confrontation at her residence that ended with her being shot by a fellow officer.

According to authorities, 28-year-old Kelsey Fitzsimmons, an officer with the North Andover Police Department, was shot Monday night while off-duty as three police officers arrived at her home to serve her with a court-issued restraining order. What was expected to be a routine, if uncomfortable, legal procedure took a sudden and violent turn, raising difficult questions about mental health, use of force, and the pressures faced by law enforcement professionals.

The Incident

At a press conference on Tuesday, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker laid out the broad outlines of the incident, which is still under active investigation.

“On Monday evening, officers arrived at the residence of Officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons to serve her with a court-issued restraining order,” Tucker said. “During the process of serving the order, and while one of the officers was escorting Ms. Fitzsimmons, an armed confrontation took place.”

According to the DA, one of the officers opened fire and shot Fitzsimmons during the encounter. She was struck and quickly transported to a Boston-area hospital, where she remains in stable condition. The name of the officer who discharged their weapon has not been released, and authorities have so far declined to disclose further details about the nature of the confrontation, citing the ongoing investigation.

Fitzsimmons, who joined the North Andover Police Department just over a year ago, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the inquiry. As of now, she has not been charged with any crime, and her current legal standing in relation to the restraining order remains unclear.

Kelsey Fitzsimmons, 28, was shot during a confrontation with her fellow officers.  (North Andover Police Department)

A Tight-Lipped Investigation

Both the North Andover Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office have been careful not to release too many details in the early stages of what could become a high-profile internal affairs and criminal case.

DA Tucker confirmed that the investigation is being handled by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to his office, a standard procedure when law enforcement officers are involved in shootings. However, when asked about the specifics of the restraining order—such as who requested it, the circumstances surrounding it, and whether Fitzsimmons had prior disciplinary issues—Tucker declined to comment.

“This remains an active and ongoing investigation,” he said. “We are in the process of interviewing all parties involved, reviewing body camera footage where applicable, and gathering forensic evidence to understand exactly what transpired inside that home.”

That reluctance to provide further detail has led to widespread speculation both within law enforcement circles and among local residents.

A Community on Edge

The small town of North Andover, nestled in Essex County about 25 miles north of Boston, is no stranger to the pressures and risks associated with police work. But an incident like this—where a young, off-duty officer is shot by a colleague during the service of a restraining order—has rattled both the community and members of the department.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said one North Andover resident who lives just a few blocks from the scene and requested anonymity. “You think of police as people who are supposed to protect you. So when something like this happens between officers, it really shakes your confidence in the system.”

The North Andover Police Department has not made a formal statement beyond confirming Fitzsimmons’ administrative leave status. Multiple calls to the department for comment were not returned as of Wednesday morning.

Kelsey Fitzsimmons seen in images from the North Andover Police Department.  (North Andover Police Department)

Who Is Officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons?

Little is known about Officer Fitzsimmons beyond her relatively recent hiring. According to public records, she was sworn into the North Andover Police Department just over a year ago and had completed her probationary period. Her personnel record has not been released, and it’s unclear whether she had any prior disciplinary actions or commendations during her time with the department.

What has emerged from those who know her is a picture of a young woman who took her responsibilities seriously but may have struggled with the immense pressures of police work.

“She always seemed composed and serious about the job,” said a former classmate from the police academy who asked not to be named. “But you could tell that she carried a lot of weight on her shoulders. Law enforcement is tough, and not everyone handles it well.”

Mental Health and Law Enforcement

While no official cause has been offered for why an armed confrontation occurred while serving a restraining order, the incident raises broader issues about the mental and emotional health of officers within the criminal justice system.

Law enforcement experts note that restraining orders involving officers are a particularly sensitive issue.

“You have to remember, police officers are trained to assert control and to maintain authority in high-pressure situations,” said Dr. Melissa Royston, a criminal justice professor at Northeastern University. “But when they’re on the receiving end of legal action—especially something as emotionally charged as a restraining order—that dynamic shifts. It can be jarring, destabilizing, and even dangerous.”

While there’s no confirmation that mental health issues played a role in Fitzsimmons’ behavior or the confrontation, the situation does align with a growing national conversation about how law enforcement agencies deal with internal stressors, trauma, and personal crises among their own ranks.

The Legal and Ethical Minefield Ahead

The shooting of Fitzsimmons is now subject to what could become a lengthy and complex investigation. With few details publicly confirmed, experts warn against rushing to judgment.

“This is the kind of case that requires extreme care,” said former Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. “You have overlapping areas of law—criminal liability, internal disciplinary procedures, civil rights concerns, and possibly issues related to mental health. The public deserves transparency, but that can’t come at the expense of a fair and thorough investigation.”

The involvement of multiple police officers, as well as the fact that Fitzsimmons was shot in her own home, will also complicate any legal proceedings. Use-of-force protocols, body camera footage, witness testimony, and forensic analysis will all play a role in determining whether the officer who fired the shot was justified—or whether other disciplinary or legal actions may follow.

Looking Forward

As the investigation continues, all eyes will be on Essex County and the North Andover Police Department to see how they handle a situation that is as rare as it is disturbing.

In the meantime, the public is left with more questions than answers. Why was Fitzsimmons served with a restraining order? What was the nature of the confrontation that led to her being shot? Was the use of force necessary—or could the situation have been de-escalated?

Until the Massachusetts State Police release their findings, speculation will likely dominate the conversation. But what is certain is that the incident has sparked renewed calls for greater transparency, accountability, and mental health support within law enforcement agencies.

For now, Officer Kelsey Fitzsimmons remains hospitalized in stable condition, her future with the department uncertain. And in North Andover, a community waits for answers—hoping that this tragic episode will lead to reflection, reform, and, ultimately, healing.