A mother of three, Christen Phillips, is recovering from severe brain injuries in a hospital. Reports say she was attacked by a man wielding a baseball bat while delivering food for DoorDash. The suspect, 44-year-old Stanley Shockley, is now in custody.
The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office states the assault occurred in broad daylight. Shockley allegedly attacked Phillips after she exited her car to drop off a food delivery. The incident began on August 1 in Jacksonville, North Carolina, when Phillips honked at Shockley’s car at an intersection to prompt him to move along.
Investigators explain that following the honk, Shockley moved his vehicle but then followed Phillips. As she completed her delivery and returned to her car, Shockley allegedly confronted her with a wooden bat, beating her in the head and face before fleeing.
Phillips later drove herself to a hospital despite her injuries, which included multiple skull fractures, brain bleeds, and a fractured cheekbone. She noted fluid draining from her left ear—a consequence of the attack—and has since undergone several surgeries.
The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Shockley’s arrest and charges, which include assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injury. Sheriff Chris Thomas emphasized the complexity of investigations like this, acknowledging public interest and thanking citizens for their tips and support, which helped lead to an arrest.