Key Takeaways
- Nick Pasqual, known for minor roles in How I Met Your Mother and Archive 81, was convicted of attempted murder, injuring a spouse or partner, first‑degree burglary, and rape in connection with an attack on his ex‑girlfriend, makeup artist Allie Shehorn.
- The assault occurred in May 2024 at Shehorn’s Shadow Hills residence; prosecutors say Pasqual broke in, stabbed her repeatedly with a knife, and then fled California.
- Shehorn suffered more than 20 stab wounds, required emergency surgery, and spent several days in intensive care.
- Prior to the attack, Shehorn had obtained a restraining order against Pasqual, citing prior incidents of sexual and physical abuse.
- Pasqual was apprehended at a border checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, Texas, after fleeing the state.
- Sentencing is scheduled for June 2, 2025, and he faces a possible life sentence in state prison.
- The case was reported with contributions from former L.A. Times staff writer Nathan Solis.
On May 2024, a violent confrontation unfolded in the Shadow Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles when Nick Pasqual, an actor with background appearances on television shows such as How I Met Your Mother and Archive 81, allegedly broke into the home of his former girlfriend, Allie Shehorn, a makeup artist known for work on films like Family Switch and Babylon. According to prosecutors, Pasqual entered the residence unlawfully, confronted Shehorn, and attacked her with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds. Witnesses and medical reports indicated that Shehorn was stabbed more than twenty times, necessitating immediate emergency surgery and a subsequent stay in the intensive care unit for several days as she fought to survive the trauma.
The relationship between Pasqual and Shehorn had been deteriorating for some time. Prior to the attack, Shehorn had sought legal protection by filing a restraining order against Pasqual. The order detailed a pattern of abusive behavior, including both sexual and physical assaults, which she alleged had occurred during their brief romantic involvement that began on the set of Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon. Despite the restraining order, Pasqual allegedly violated its terms by entering Shehorn’s home and carrying out the violent assault.
Following the attack, Pasqual fled the state of California. Law enforcement officials tracked his movements and apprehended him at a border checkpoint in Sierra Blanca, Texas. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office confirmed that he was taken into custody without further incident and subsequently extradited back to Los Angeles to face charges.
At trial, the prosecution presented evidence that included forensic analysis of the crime scene, medical records documenting the extent of Shehorn’s injuries, and testimony from friends and acquaintances who described the couple’s turbulent relationship and the restraining order she had secured. The jury found Pasqual guilty on multiple counts: attempted murder, injuring a spouse or partner (a charge reflecting the domestic‑violence nature of the offense), first‑degree burglary (for unlawfully entering Shehorn’s dwelling with intent to commit a crime), and rape (based on allegations of sexual assault that occurred during or surrounding the attack). These convictions underscore the severity of the crime and the legal system’s recognition of both the physical and sexual violence involved.
Sentencing is set for June 2, 2025. Given the gravity of the offenses—particularly the attempted murder charge and the associated felonies—Pqual could receive the maximum penalty allowed under California law: a life sentence in state prison. The possibility of parole will be determined by the judge and the state’s parole board, taking into account factors such as Pasqual’s criminal history, the impact on the victim, and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances presented during the sentencing hearing.
The case has attracted media attention not only because of the violent nature of the crime but also due to the victims’ and perpetrator’s tangential connections to the entertainment industry. Allie Shehorn’s work as a makeup artist on notable film productions and Nick Pasqual’s minor acting credits have brought a spotlight to how personal disputes can escalate into criminal acts, regardless of public profiles. Former L.A. Times staff writer Nathan Solis contributed to the report, helping to contextualize the incident within broader discussions of domestic violence and the legal remedies available to victims.
In summary, the conviction of Nick Pasqual for the attempted murder and related offenses against Allie Shehorn highlights a disturbing case of intimate‑partner violence that culminated in a brutal knife attack, legal intervention through a restraining order, interstate flight, and ultimately a jury verdict that could result in a life‑long prison term. The outcome serves as a stark reminder of the legal system’s role in addressing severe domestic abuse and protecting victims from further harm.