Police later detained the suspect at a hospital; charges include false imprisonment and aggravated assault.
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A 23-year-old DeKalb County woman says her ex-boyfriend shot her 10 times on Nov. 2 during a meeting that turned violent, then drove her for hours as she bled before taking her to a Douglas County hospital, where security held him for police.
In an interview aired Monday, the woman, identified as Shamay Pitt, described a struggle inside her car followed by gunfire and a frantic ride from Snapfinger Road in DeKalb County to Douglasville. Police later charged the former boyfriend, identified as Joshua Woodruff, 25, with false imprisonment and aggravated assault. Pitt survived after emergency surgery and is now recovering. The case focuses renewed attention on intimate partner violence and the steps authorities take when an alleged victim arrives at a hospital with multiple wounds.
Pitt said the meeting with Woodruff was supposed to be a conversation. The two met on Nov. 2, and she told reporters it escalated quickly inside her vehicle. “He steps back, he steps forward, and he starts shooting me,” Pitt said. She recalled ringing in her ears, realizing she had been shot, and seeing blood while still in the driver’s seat. From there, she said Woodruff drove her away from the shooting scene on Snapfinger Road and onto roads leading west, while she pleaded to be left somewhere safe so she could breathe and get help.
According to Pitt’s account, hours passed as the car moved from DeKalb County into Douglas County. She said she begged to be placed on the grass and told him she did not want to die in the car. Eventually, she said, Woodruff pulled up to Wellstar Douglas Hospital. Security personnel at the hospital detained him while medical staff began treating Pitt, and responding officers took custody of the suspect. Paramedics later transferred Pitt to Kennestone Hospital for surgery. Authorities have said Woodruff faces counts of false imprisonment and aggravated assault. Investigators have not publicly detailed what kind of firearm was used, how many shell casings were recovered, or exactly where along Snapfinger Road the gunfire began.
Pitt told reporters doctors counted 10 gunshot wounds and rushed her into surgery upon arrival. She did not provide a full list of her injuries but said she remains in pain and is focused on healing. Police have not released a full incident report with a precise shooting time or the route driven. The hospital security team that held Woodruff for police has not released additional statements beyond confirming he was detained on site before officers arrived. As of Monday, investigators had not announced whether additional charges might be considered as they reconstruct the path from DeKalb County to Douglasville and review any available surveillance video.
Records cited in the broadcast place the start of the encounter on Snapfinger Road, a busy corridor lined with apartments, churches, and small businesses in southeast DeKalb. Douglasville, about 30 miles west, is home to Wellstar Douglas Hospital, where Pitt first received emergency care before transfer to Kennestone for surgery. The cross-county movement has implications for venue and coordination between DeKalb and Douglas authorities, who often share information in cases that begin in one jurisdiction and end in another. Monday’s airing comes amid a year of high-profile domestic violence cases in metro Atlanta, a context that can influence how quickly agencies share updates and how courts weigh bond and protection orders.
Police said Woodruff, 25, is charged with false imprisonment and aggravated assault. Officials have not released his initial appearance date or bond status. If prosecutors add counts, they could include additional assault or weapons charges depending on medical and ballistic findings. Detectives are expected to finalize interviews, gather hospital timelines, and compare statements against any 911 calls and camera footage from Snapfinger Road and the hospital campus. Any future hearings would likely address bond, no-contact provisions, and the transfer of investigative materials between DeKalb and Douglas County authorities. Court scheduling information had not been posted by Monday evening.
Pitt said she is speaking publicly to explain what happened and to describe her recovery. “Just lay me on the grass, so I can breathe,” she recalled telling him. “I don’t want to die in this car.” She also said she is determined to heal for her young son. “He really is my reason,” she said. Neighbors along the corridor where the confrontation began said traffic was routine that evening and they did not initially realize a shooting had occurred until they saw the broadcast. Hospital visitors in Douglas County described a swift response by security when the wounded woman arrived.
As of Monday night, investigators had not released a full narrative report, and no additional court dates were announced. Pitt remains in recovery after surgery. Police say the investigation is active and will continue this week with evidence reviews and interviews.
Author note: Last updated November 24, 2025.