Hollywood Actor Convicted After Violating Restraining Order, Stabbing Ex-Girlfriend 20 Times

Clear Facts

• Nick Pasqual, 36, was convicted Friday of attempted murder, first-degree burglary, and injury to a cohabitant for the May 23, 2024 stabbing of his ex-girlfriend Allie Shehorn
• Pasqual had been arrested for domestic violence just five days earlier and released on $50,000 bond before the attack
• Shehorn, a Hollywood makeup artist, was stabbed approximately 20 times and required 14 hours of surgery after Pasqual broke into her California home despite an active restraining order

A San Fernando jury has convicted Nick Pasqual, a 36-year-old actor known for his role in “How I Met Your Mother,” of attempted murder and multiple related charges stemming from a brutal stabbing attack on his ex-girlfriend last May.

The conviction comes after Pasqual broke into the Sunland, California home of Allie Shehorn and stabbed her an estimated 20 times on May 23, 2024. In addition to attempted murder, the jury found Pasqual guilty of first-degree residential burglary with person present and injuring a cohabitant.

The case highlights serious failures in California’s catch-and-release bail system. According to court records, Pasqual had been arrested for domestic violence just five days earlier on May 18, 2024. He was released after posting $50,000 bond.

“As soon as he paid his bail, he came after her,” Jed Dornoff, a friend of Shehorn, told reporters at the time.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Shehorn had filed a restraining order against Pasqual days before the attack. The protective order proved ineffective in preventing the violent assault.

During the trial, Shehorn took the stand bearing visible scars on her neck and arms to recount the terrifying night. She testified about the moments Pasqual forced his way into her home.

“I locked the door and he just started punching holes in that door and broke that open,” she told the jury. “I just ran into the bathroom because I thought there’s another lock on that door.”

Following the brutal attack, Pasqual fled California and attempted to cross into Mexico. He was detained by authorities at the United States/Mexico border checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, Texas.

Shehorn was discovered by her friend Christine White, who immediately took action to save her life.

“I just told her to keep her hand on her throat to stop the bleeding,” White recalled.

The makeup artist sustained life-threatening injuries to her throat, back, chest and wrists. She underwent 14 hours of emergency surgery and spent multiple days in intensive care recovering from the attack.

Pasqual now awaits sentencing, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2. He faces a lengthy prison sentence for the conviction.

The case has renewed scrutiny of California’s bail reform policies, which allowed a domestic violence suspect to be released within days only to commit an even more violent offense against the same victim. Critics argue that the state’s lenient approach to pretrial detention puts victims at serious risk and undermines public safety.

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