Massachusetts – A 30-year-old man, S. Holiday, has been sentenced to 30 to 40 years in state prison after being convicted of a violent attack on his seven-month pregnant girlfriend, A. Holyoke. The shooting left Holyoke with permanent vision loss and caused severe trauma to her three children.
On September 8, 2020, in a calculated act of violence, Holiday entered Holyoke’s home, intending to silence her before she could testify against him in a legal case. The attack occurred in Holyoke’s third-floor apartment, where Holiday shot her in the head while their three children were present.
The Attack and Its Aftermath
According to court documents, Holiday entered the apartment that afternoon, where he crept up behind Holyoke and wrapped his arm around her neck before shooting her in the side of the head. The bullet exited her head and struck Holiday in the left forearm. Despite her injuries, Holyoke survived but lost her vision permanently.
Emergency responders found Holyoke just inside the building’s doorway and rushed her to a hospital before airlifting her to a medical center due to the severity of her wounds.
Meanwhile, police followed a blood trail upstairs and found the couple’s three children. When they were escorted out of the apartment, one of the children identified Holiday as the man sitting on the sidewalk, receiving treatment for his own gunshot wound.
Investigating the Crime
Investigators confirmed that Holiday had been wearing a court-ordered GPS monitoring bracelet at the time of the attack. Surveillance footage and GPS data, along with interviews, confirmed that he entered the apartment with the intent to carry out the shooting.
District Attorney T. Cruz called Holiday’s actions “despicable” and “cowardly,” especially since the shooting occurred in front of the children. Cruz also highlighted that Holiday’s motive for the attack was likely related to preventing Holyoke from testifying against him in an ongoing legal matter.
As a result, Holiday was convicted on charges including intimidation of a witness, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, reckless endangerment of a child, and aggravated assault and battery.
Sentencing and Conditions
Holiday was sentenced to 30 to 40 years in a state correctional facility. The sentence includes two consecutive terms: 25 to 30 years for the most serious charges, followed by 5 to 10 additional years.
After serving his sentence, Holiday will be required to wear a GPS tracking device, undergo a mental health evaluation, and comply with treatment recommendations. He will also be prohibited from contacting Holyoke and their children without explicit court approval.
The Victim’s Courage and Strength
Despite the brutal attack, Holyoke not only survived but also carried her child to term after the incident. Throughout the legal proceedings, her strength has been praised by advocates and prosecutors.
She continues to cope with the physical and emotional effects of the shooting, and her courage in seeking justice serves as an example of resilience.
This tragic case highlights the severe consequences of domestic violence and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable. It also underscores the bravery required to seek justice in the face of such devastating trauma.