Nationwide — Shamay Pitt, a 23-year-old African American mom from Dekalb County, Georgia, who miraculously survived being shot 10 times, is now speaking out publicly, hoping her story will help protect other Black women facing intimate-partner violence. Shamay recounted the horrifying ordeal in an exclusive interview with WSBV TV‘s Audrey Washington, describing how an ordinary conversation with her ex-boyfriend spiraled into a near-fatal attack. Her story comes at a time when domestic violence against Black women is drawing renewed national attention, following multiple high-profile cases this year involving brutal assaults, abductions, and deadly shootings.
Shamay told reporters that on Nov. 2, her ex-boyfriend Joshua Woodruff asked to meet to “talk,” but the meeting took a violent turn almost immediately. She said an argument escalated into a struggle inside her car, and before she could escape, Woodruff stepped back, stepped forward, and began firing into her body. “My ears are ringing, but I come into realization that he is shooting at me,” she said, describing how her vision blurred as she tried to understand what was happening. The sudden eruption of violence mirrors an alarming trend nationwide where Black women are disproportionately targeted in intimate-partner attacks.
Bleeding heavily and drifting in and out of consciousness, Pitt said Woodruff forced her into another car and drove her across two counties — from Snapfinger Road in DeKalb County to Douglasville. During the drive, she begged him not to let her die. “Just lay me on the grass so I can breathe,” she pleaded. “I don’t want to die in this car.” Instead of rendering aid, police say Woodruff continued driving for hours, delaying lifesaving medical care.
Eventually, Shamay says Woodruff drove her to WellStar Douglas Hospital. Hospital staff and paramedics rushed her to Kennestone Hospital, where trauma surgeons worked to save her life. Back at the Douglas facility, security officers detained Woodruff and notified police. The 25-year-old was charged with aggravated assault and false imprisonment. Authorities say additional charges may follow as investigators continue reviewing evidence.
Shamay’s survival comes as communities across the country mourn other Black women who have not been as fortunate. In recent months, cases like the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Ta’Kiya Young in Ohio, the kidnapping and killing of 25-year-old Mahogany Jackson in Louisiana, and the brutal assault of a Detroit mother whose ex-boyfriend set her on fire have amplified calls for stronger protections and early-intervention support for Black women facing threats from abusive partners. Advocates warn that many victims report not being believed, not being protected, or having their concerns dismissed by both loved ones and law enforcement — a pattern that places them at higher risk.
Today, she is recovering from her wounds — physically, emotionally, and financially — while caring for her young son, who she says is her source of strength. “He really is my reason,” she said. A GoFundMe campaign has been created to assist with her medical bills, trauma therapy, and long-term recovery needs. As she heals, Pitt says she’s committed to using her voice to raise awareness about domestic violence and to encourage women, especially Black women, to trust their instincts, seek help early, and understand that what happened to her happens far more often than many people realize.