The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office recognized Johanna Martinez and Allie Shehorn for their exemplary courage 

October 10, 2026 – LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman on Friday honored two community members, Johanna Martinez and Allie Shehorn, for their extraordinary actions at a Courage Awards ceremony hosted by the Rotary Club of Los Angeles in downtown Los Angeles.

Ms. Martinez was working as a food service vendor in MacArthur Park when she rushed to administer life-saving CPR to a victim in the immediate aftermath of a shooting and then provided critical testimony at trial. Ms. Shehorn helped apprehend her abuser, then faced him in court after a brutal stabbing that nearly killed her. Both cases resulted in convictions with decades-long sentences.

“Today’s Courage Awards recipients fearlessly pursued justice and testified in court under extreme pressure,” District Attorney Hochman said. “Ms. Martinez selflessly gave life-saving aid to an innocent gunshot victim, then made sure the offender was held accountable in court. After surviving unimaginable domestic violence and bringing her abuser to justice, Ms. Shehorn has become a dedicated advocate for domestic violence survivors. I am honored to recognize these remarkable individuals with Courage Awards.”

Johanna Martinez, 30, of Los Angeles (Case 24CJCF04596, presented by Deputy District Attorneys Heather Brel and Jonathan Armour)

Johanna Martinez was working as a food vendor in MacArthur Park on June 23, 2024, when a gunman opened fire several feet away from her. Without hesitation — in the immediate aftermath of an active shooting, with chaos all around her — Ms. Martinez rushed to the scene.

One of the wounded victims, an innocent bystander, suffered severe, life-threatening blood loss and lost consciousness. Ms. Martinez immediately began performing CPR and kept the victim conscious before the arrival of emergency medical personnel. Her decision to rush toward danger and perform CPR saved his life.

Despite the risks of coming forward as a witness to a violent crime, Ms. Martinez testified at both the preliminary hearing and trial, providing testimony that was instrumental to the prosecution of the case.

Thanks to her testimony, and that of several other witnesses who came forward, a jury was able to hold Fredrick Daniels accountable for three separate shootings carried out over the summer of 2024 — attacks that left at least seven people injured.

On August 21, 2026, Daniels was sentenced to over 125 years to life in prison.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Heather Brel and Jonathan Armour of the Central Trials Division and investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Allie Shehorn, 37, of Los Angeles (Case 24SFCF00724, presented by Deputy District Attorneys Sam Abourched and Chelsea Blatt)

Allie Shehorn, a special effects makeup artist, was the victim of an escalating pattern of domestic violence at the hands of her actor ex-boyfriend, Nick Pasqual. Throughout their relationship, she endured repeated verbal, emotional and physical abuse that resulted in visible injuries and property destruction.

The violence culminated on May 23, 2024, when he unlawfully entered her residence while she slept and stabbed her more than 20 times. She suffered devastating, permanent injuries and nearly lost her life. During emergency treatment, she died twice on the operating table.

Even while critically injured, Ms. Shehorn identified her attacker to law enforcement, leading to Pasqual’s successful arrest.

Two years later, Allie took the witness stand and testified against the man who had repeatedly abused, raped and nearly murdered her. Her testimony was essential in securing guilty verdicts for attempted murder, rape, burglary and multiple domestic violence offenses.

Pasqual was sentenced to 32 years to life in state prison.

Deputy District Attorneys Sam Abourched and Chelsea Blatt of the Family Violence Division prosecuted the case, and the Los Angeles Police Department investigated it.

About the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Courage Awards

The Courage Awards, formerly known as the Courageous Citizen Awards, were launched in 1986 and are given to individuals who demonstrate exceptional bravery and selflessness — whether by assisting in criminal prosecutions, helping victims, testifying under pressure, preventing crimes or helping to apprehend suspects.

The Rotary Club of Los Angeles sponsored today's Courage Awards ceremony.

Source: Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office