Twitch streamer Holle Knoll survives terrifying shotgun attack by abusive ex, says she saw 'evil' in his eyes

Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised

WEST VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES: Twitch streamer Holle Knoll has emerged as a survivor of a terrifying shotgun attack orchestrated by her abusive ex-boyfriend, Conrad Carriker.

Knoll's harrowing account reveals the menacing encounter that unfolded at her boyfriend Hunter Avallone's West Virginia apartment, leaving her injured but resilient.

Just days after Knoll, 29, traveled from Washington to seek refuge with Avallone, the couple faced a nightmare when Carriker, armed with a shotgun, showed up at their doorstep. “The look in his eyes when I saw him at the door, he just looked so evil,” she recalled. 

The incident escalated into a violent confrontation, with Carriker opening fire on the couple, hitting Knoll in the leg before engaging in a lethal shootout with law enforcement.

The couple's ordeal gained widespread attention after Avallone, a popular YouTuber with over half a million subscribers, shared footage from inside the apartment, capturing the chaos as Knoll struggled to stem the blood flow from her leg.

Holle Knoll and Conrad Carriker's relationship timeline

Knoll, known online as Holle Peno, had recently escaped an abusive 11-year relationship with Carriker, making her way to West Virginia to stay with Avallone. However, the horrors persisted as Carriker's menacing actions unfolded.

Upon arrival in West Virginia, Knoll discovered Apple AirTags planted in her luggage, a disturbing revelation of Carriker's attempts to track her whereabouts. Confronted about the trackers, Carriker responded with ominous threats, escalating the danger.

The couple's distress intensified when Carriker loitered around Avallone's building, claiming to be a friend. Fearful that Carriker might act on his threats, the couple cautiously approached the situation, only to face a sudden and menacing appearance by Carriker, shotgun in hand.

Hunter Avallone details abrupt change in abuser's demeanor

Avallone described the chilling transformation in Carriker's demeanor, stating, "The minute he saw us, it was like something switched, like he had no expression on his face. Like he switched to just being evil." Knoll, recognizing the imminent danger, bravely interposed herself between Carriker and Avallone.

The couple's desperate flight to safety inside the building was met with gunfire from Carriker, resulting in Knoll being struck in the leg by a ricocheting slug. Despite the chaos, Avallone's viral footage captured the moment law enforcement intervened, engaging in a fierce standoff with Carriker.

In a text exchange during the confrontation, Knoll pleaded with Carriker to surrender, revealing her wounded leg. “I sent him a picture of my leg and I was like, ‘I’m bleeding. I need help. I need you to surrender. I don’t want to die.’ And that’s when he shot himself,” Holle said, as per New York Post. 

Subsequent investigation revealed Carriker's alarming actions, with receipts on his computer indicating a cross-country pursuit of Knoll. The source of the shotgun remains unclear, but Knoll believes it was acquired in West Virginia, a state known for lax gun control laws.

Despite the trauma, Knoll's leg wound miraculously did not require stitches. In the aftermath, she emphasized the importance of leaving abusive relationships, stating, "Even though I went through the situation and ended up the way that it did, I don’t have to be in it anymore. It’s actually better that I left, and they should find the courage to leave, too."

GoFundMe campaigns have been initiated for both Knoll and Avallone to support their medical expenses and secure new housing in the aftermath of this harrowing incident.