Sitcom actor accused of stabbing girlfriend 20 times

Hollywood, a place where dreams are made and nightmares often come true, is once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Nick Pasqual, a 34-year-old actor known for his minor roles in “Rebel Moon” and “How I Met Your Mother,” has been arrested after allegedly attempting to flee the United States into Mexico. His crime? The brutal stabbing of his estranged girlfriend, award-winning Hollywood makeup artist Allie Shehorn, over 20 times.

The horrifying incident occurred in the early hours of May 23rd. Pasqual allegedly broke into Shehorn’s Sunland, California, home around 4:30 a.m. and launched a savage attack. Shehorn, recognized for her work on “Rebel Moon” and “Mean Girls,” suffered multiple slashes to her neck, as well as cuts to her arms and abdomen. This was no mere altercation; it was an act of pure, unbridled violence.

Shehorn was discovered later that day by her surrogate mother, Christine White, in a scene that White described as anything but “pretty.” The brutality of the attack has left an indelible mark on all who have witnessed its aftermath. “This is not the kind of thing that should happen to anybody,” White told KTLA. “You don’t think this is ever going to happen to you.”

Pasqual has been charged with one count of attempted murder, one count of first-degree residential burglary with a person present, and one count of injuring a spouse, cohabitant, fiancé, boyfriend, girlfriend, or child’s parent. The charges are as severe as the act itself, reflecting the gravity of the situation. He is also accused of inflicting great bodily injury upon Shehorn under circumstances involving domestic violence.

Despite a restraining order filed by Shehorn just days before the attack, detailing Pasqual’s history of violence towards her—including attacks with a belt, breaking down doors, causing a concussion, and accusations of rape and choking—the system failed to protect her. This restraining order was meant to be a shield but ended up being little more than a piece of paper against Pasqual’s rage.

After the attack, Pasqual fled, attempting to escape justice by crossing into Mexico. However, authorities apprehended him at the US-Mexico border checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, Texas. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón expressed his sympathies for Shehorn and promised that justice will be served. “Our office, including our Bureau of Victim Services, extends our support and resources to her as she embarks on the long and difficult journey of healing from both the physical and emotional trauma inflicted upon her,” Gascón said.

Pasqual now faces the prospect of life in state prison if convicted. The legal proceedings will likely be as dramatic as any Hollywood script, but the real focus should remain on Shehorn, who continues to recover from her ordeal. After being rushed to the hospital and placed in the ICU in critical condition, she has undergone multiple surgeries. Encouragingly, Shehorn has shown signs of progress, moving around the hospital with the assistance of staff and a walker.

Shehorn’s story is not just one of survival but of remarkable resilience. Her colleagues, including makeup artist Jed Dornoff, have rallied around her, setting up a GoFundMe page to help cover her medical and rehabilitation expenses. The page has already raised over $90,000 of its $100,000 goal, a testament to the support and love she has from those around her.

This tragic event is a stark reminder of the pervasive issue of domestic violence, even within the glittering facade of Hollywood. It is a call to action, urging us to better protect those who are vulnerable and to hold accountable those who inflict harm. As Shehorn continues her recovery, the industry and society at large must reflect on how such horrors can be prevented in the future.

In the end, this isn’t just a Hollywood scandal. It’s a human tragedy, one that strips away the glamorous veneer to reveal the harsh realities that lie beneath.