Second Suspect Charged in Downtown Asheville Shooting That Injured Nine

Ashonta Foursha Basnight, 28, walked into the Asheville Police Department on March 20 and turned herself in. Three days later, APD announced she faces nine criminal counts tied to the March 8 mass shooting on North Lexington Avenue that sent nine people to the hospital in one of downtown Asheville's busiest nightlife corridors.

Basnight was charged with three counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, five counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and discharging a firearm within city limits. She was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility without bond.

The shooting injured nine people in distinct ways: seven were struck by stray gunfire or bullet fragments, one was hurt while trying to reach safety, and one was physically assaulted during the chaos and sustained a concussion. All nine were treated and released, with wounds described as mostly non-life-threatening.

Basnight is the second person charged in connection with the March 8 incident. The first, 19-year-old Calobe Leo Workman, turned himself in to Asheville police on March 16. Specific charges against Workman have not been publicly announced.

APD Capt. Joe Silberman and other officials said detectives have formed a dedicated task force and are still actively seeking a third suspect. The department described the investigation as open and active, and said additional arrests or charges could follow as forensic evidence and tips are developed.

Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has surveillance footage from the North Lexington Avenue area is asked to contact APD at (828) 252-1110.