Why It Matters
The conviction closes a criminal case that drew attention to domestic violence and restraining order enforcement in California, after an actor with minor television credits was found guilty of a near-fatal attack on a woman who had already sought legal protection against him.
What Happened
Nick Pasqual, a background actor with credits that include How I Met Your Mother and Archive 81, was found guilty by a jury of attempted murder in connection with the May 2024 stabbing of Allie Shehorn, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist and his former girlfriend.
Pasqual broke into Shehorn’s Shadow Hills home and attacked her repeatedly with a knife before fleeing the state, prosecutors said. He was later apprehended at a border checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, Texas, before he could leave the country.
Shehorn, whose film credits include work on Family Switch and Babylon, required emergency surgery following the assault and spent several days in intensive care. Friends said at the time she may have been stabbed more than 20 times.
The two had met on the set of Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon, where Pasqual worked as a background performer and Shehorn served as a makeup artist. Prior to the stabbing, Shehorn had obtained a restraining order against Pasqual that documented prior allegations of physical and sexual assault.
Charges and Verdict
In addition to attempted murder, the jury found Pasqual guilty on counts of injuring a spouse or partner, first-degree burglary, and rape, according to court records and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
By the Numbers
- 20+ — estimated number of stab wounds Shehorn sustained, according to friends
- 4 — total counts of conviction, including attempted murder, burglary, rape, and domestic assault
- June 2, 2026 — scheduled sentencing date
- Life in state prison — maximum sentence Pasqual faces
Zoom Out
The case reflects a broader pattern of concerns around the enforcement of domestic violence restraining orders. Shehorn had sought legal protection before the attack occurred, raising questions about the gap between court orders and physical safety — a challenge law enforcement agencies across California and the nation continue to grapple with. A similar intersection of celebrity-adjacent cases and violent crime has drawn public scrutiny to how courts handle high-profile domestic situations, as seen in other ongoing criminal proceedings involving figures connected to the entertainment industry.
What’s Next
Pasqual is scheduled to be sentenced on June 2. If the maximum term is imposed, he could spend the rest of his life in a California state prison. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has not yet indicated what sentence it will formally seek at the hearing.