NC Woman Who Was Set on Fire Last Year Targeted in Another Violent Attack

Ashanti Downey Shooting Comes Less Than a Year After Fire Attack

SANFORD, N.C. – The North Carolina Beat has learned that a North Carolina woman who survived being set on fire last year is once again at the center of a terrifying situation—this time involving gunfire.

According to arrest warrants, Ashanti Downey, 21, and her sister Beyonce Downey, 24, were allegedly shot at Monday, October 27, while sitting inside a white 2013 Hyundai Elantra on Carbonton Road in Sanford.

Authorities say the suspect, Amir Franklin Elijah Robb, 21, opened fire on the vehicle at a residence in the 3200 block of Carbonton Road. Miraculously, the sisters survived the shooting.

Robb, who lives on West Chisholm Street in Sanford, was taken into custody the following day and as of Tuesday, December 16, remains in the Lee County Jail under a $150,000 secured bond.

Court records show Robb has been charged with:

• Two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill

• Discharging a firearm into an occupied property

• Injury to personal property (misdemeanor)

The Burning Attack

This latest shooting comes less than a year after Ashanti Downey survived an unspeakable attack. In December of last year, Ashanti was doused with gasoline and set on fire while walking near NC 27 and Barbecue Church Road in Harnett County.

The man responsible, Jami Raiziah Griffin, 24, was sentenced in July to seven to ten years in prison after pleading guilty to felony assault with a deadly weapon. Prosecutors dropped attempted murder charges as part of a plea deal.

Court documents reveal Griffin is the father of two children with Beyonce Downey and was also reportedly Ashanti’s former boyfriend.

Griffin’s mother later faced legal consequences of her own, receiving a suspended sentence for obstruction of justice.