Second Sandyfield Suspect Sentenced

The second gunman in a shootout that wounded a pregnant woman will serve just short of six years in federal prison.

Robert Jamar Avant, 33, formerly of Huffman Street, Chadbourn, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in U.S. District Court in October. He was given 71 months in prison.

“This reckless shootout, adjacent to t-ball fields where hundreds of kids and parents were playing, left a pregnant woman shot and enduring an emergency c-section to save her baby.  It is a miracle the baby survived, and the Whiteville Police Department deserves credit for their swift action on this case,” said U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr.

On May 13, 2021, Avant and Dashaud Maultsby opened fire on a group of men at Kent Place in Whiteville. Maultsby had reportedly had an argument with his girlfriend, left, then returned with Avant, according to police reports and testimony. Avant is a convicted felon.

The two men opened fire with AR-15 rifles at the unidentified men, who then returned fire. Avant fled to his vehicle while Maultsby continued exchanging fire. Maultsby was trying to shoot with one hand when he dropped his rifle and it discharged, striking Avant in the head.

Whiteville Police found Avant with a gunshot wound sitting in his vehicle. They confiscated his rifle and a handgun.

A pregnant woman, Katrina Huggins, was struck in the abdomen and rushed to Columbus Regional. She underwent emergency surgery. Both she and the baby survived.

The shootout was one of a series of violent incidents that led to a nuisance filing against Sandyfield by District Attorney Jon David, the Whiteville Police, and the city. The management of the apartment complex has since made major improvements to the complex, improved security, and tightened background checks on residents and visitors in accordance with the court order.

In June, Maultsby was sentenced to ten years in prison, the U.S. Attorney said. He had previously been arrested for possession of narcotics and trafficking in opiates.

Sentencing was handed down by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Whiteville Police Department investigated, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaren E. Kelly is prosecuted the case.