Shannon Shields is recovering after surviving a violent attack in Brownsville, Fayette County.Warning: The details contained in this article are disturbing.Anthony Boyer is facing almost 50 charges, including attempted homicide, arson, burglary and aggravated assault.Pennsylvania State Police were called to a home on Water Street around 2:48 a.m. Wednesday. Police say Boyer had broken into Shields’ house and forced his way inside. Shields had a protection order against Boyer. Security camera footage allegedly shows Boyer breaking into the home and forcing his way inside. Shields recalled the moment she realized he was inside the house, saying, “I get downstairs and he’s already in the house. He comes up to me and I’m like, ‘Anthony, what are you doing here?'” Shields said he blocked the front door with a couch and then focused his attention on her.”And he has a tire iron — the temporary ones you get in your vehicle, it’s a single-use one — and he just starts whaling on me,” she said.According to a criminal complaint, Shields appeared dead, and Boyer also used a baseball bat in his alleged assault.Shields’ mother was also inside and tried to help, but was allegedly punched in the face by Boyer. Shields said her mother suffered two fractures and will need surgery to repair her jaw. Shields described her struggle to stay conscious, saying, “I’m sitting at the bottom of the steps and I could feel myself losing consciousness. I could feel me getting lightheaded, barely able to move. He ran and got me a cold towel to put on my head. My mom gave me an ice pack to try to keep me awake and alert.” Boyer allegedly threatened her, saying, “And he kept telling me I’m not leaving, and neither are you. If you leave this house, you’re going out of here in a body bag.”When police arrived, Shields said Boyer ran into a closet to hide, giving her, her mother, and her son time to escape.”But by the grace of God, I’m still here. Devin still has his mother, and I know that my father was sitting next to me when this happened,” Shields said. Boyer was taken into custody after allegedly starting a fire in the closet. Troopers would open the closet to find pillows and other items burning. The fire was extinguished before it spread to the rest of the home.Shields has several bruises and had to get staples in her head. While her bruises will heal, she knows her emotional scars will take time. In the meantime, she said she is determined to seek justice.”I’m going to face him one day in a courtroom. And at that time, he’ll be judged for the things that he’s done, and he’s never going to be able to do it to another human being again,” she said.A GoFundMe has been set up to help Shields. If you would like to donate, click here.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
BROWNSVILLE, Pa. —
Shannon Shields is recovering after surviving a violent attack in Brownsville, Fayette County.
Warning: The details contained in this article are disturbing.
Anthony Boyer is facing almost 50 charges, including attempted homicide, arson, burglary and aggravated assault.
Pennsylvania State Police were called to a home on Water Street around 2:48 a.m. Wednesday. Police say Boyer had broken into Shields’ house and forced his way inside. Shields had a protection order against Boyer.
Security camera footage allegedly shows Boyer breaking into the home and forcing his way inside. Shields recalled the moment she realized he was inside the house, saying, “I get downstairs and he’s already in the house. He comes up to me and I’m like, ‘Anthony, what are you doing here?'”
Shields said he blocked the front door with a couch and then focused his attention on her.
“And he has a tire iron — the temporary ones you get in your vehicle, it’s a single-use one — and he just starts whaling on me,” she said.
According to a criminal complaint, Shields appeared dead, and Boyer also used a baseball bat in his alleged assault.
Shields’ mother was also inside and tried to help, but was allegedly punched in the face by Boyer. Shields said her mother suffered two fractures and will need surgery to repair her jaw.
Shields described her struggle to stay conscious, saying, “I’m sitting at the bottom of the steps and I could feel myself losing consciousness. I could feel me getting lightheaded, barely able to move. He ran and got me a cold towel to put on my head. My mom gave me an ice pack to try to keep me awake and alert.”
Boyer allegedly threatened her, saying, “And he kept telling me I’m not leaving, and neither are you. If you leave this house, you’re going out of here in a body bag.”
When police arrived, Shields said Boyer ran into a closet to hide, giving her, her mother, and her son time to escape.
“But by the grace of God, I’m still here. Devin still has his mother, and I know that my father was sitting next to me when this happened,” Shields said.
Boyer was taken into custody after allegedly starting a fire in the closet. Troopers would open the closet to find pillows and other items burning. The fire was extinguished before it spread to the rest of the home.
Shields has several bruises and had to get staples in her head. While her bruises will heal, she knows her emotional scars will take time. In the meantime, she said she is determined to seek justice.
“I’m going to face him one day in a courtroom. And at that time, he’ll be judged for the things that he’s done, and he’s never going to be able to do it to another human being again,” she said.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Shields. If you would like to donate, click here.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.