The Incident
A terrifying situation unfolded at the Planet Fitness in Cambridge’s Porter Square on October 1. Police say Laquan Holland, 40, brought a woman he knew into the facility under the guise of letting her use the showers. Once inside, things took a dark turn. According to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Holland followed the woman into the locker room, where he allegedly beat her, tried to remove her clothing, and blocked the exits to keep her trapped.
When a female employee heard the commotion and rushed into the locker room to help the victim, Holland allegedly attacked her as well, sexually assaulting the worker who was just trying to do her job. When police arrived on the scene, they reportedly found Holland in the locker room while he was attempting to get dressed. He is now being held without bail.
The Fallout
Holland is a convicted child rapist with a criminal history that dates back to 2006, including guilty pleas for crimes against a child under 14. Just weeks before this attack, he had been arrested for failing to register as a sex offender—a charge that was only dismissed on the condition that he finally complete his registration.
Planet Fitness has officially revoked Holland’s membership, and the company stated they are working closely with local authorities on the investigation. "Planet Fitness is committed to providing a safe environment for all," the gym chain said in a statement. Holland is currently scheduled for a dangerousness hearing on October 16.
Why it matters
This incident has left the community shaken, especially given the suspect's history of repeat offenses. It highlights major concerns about safety protocols in public spaces and how the legal system monitors high-risk individuals after their release. The fact that a gym employee was targeted while trying to step in is highkey wild and has sparked a lot of conversation about workplace safety and the need for stricter accountability.
