BROCKTON, MA – A Brockton man will spend up to four decades behind bars for shooting his pregnant girlfriend in the head, an act that has left her permanently blind and shaken the local community. The victim, Amanda Holyoke, survived the attack, which took place with three children present in their apartment, according to authorities.
Shaun Holiday, 30, was sentenced Tuesday to 30 to 40 years in a state correctional facility after being found guilty on multiple charges, including armed assault with intent to murder, home invasion, and assault and battery on a pregnant person. The sentences will be served consecutively.
The shooting occurred on September 8, 2020, at a residence on North Main Street, about 20 miles south of Boston. Brockton police responded to an emergency call reporting a woman with a gunshot wound. Officers arrived to find Holyoke, who was 27 weeks pregnant at the time, near the door with serious injuries.
First responders provided immediate aid before she was transferred from a local hospital to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston for specialized treatment. Despite surviving, she was left permanently blinded by her injuries.
Officers traced a blood trail inside the building and discovered three young children inside the apartment. As police evacuated the children, one identified Holiday, who was outside being treated for a gunshot wound to his arm, as their father.
Investigators determined Holiday had entered the apartment earlier that day and shot Holyoke at close range with a .40 caliber firearm. According to authorities, the bullet exited Holyoke’s head and struck Holiday in the forearm. After the shooting, Holiday fled but soon returned to the scene, where police apprehended him.
In addition to attempted murder and assault charges, Holiday was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, aggravated assault and battery, reckless endangerment of a child, and intimidation of a witness. Prosecutors said he also tried to prevent Holyoke from testifying during the trial.
Following his release, Holiday will remain under court supervision and will be required to wear a GPS tracking device, as well as undergo a mental health evaluation and comply with any resulting treatment directives. Contact with the victims is prohibited unless authorized by the court as a condition of his probation.
The case has renewed discussions about domestic violence and child safety, drawing attention to the lasting impacts of violent acts within families. Local officials say they hope the lengthy sentence brings a measure of justice and prevents further harm.