‘What about him beating on me?!’ Woman claims self-defense after boyfriend is shot in the back, but police say she tried to cover her tracks

A Florida woman accused of shooting her boyfriend became emotional in court Friday while a detective testified about the case. Ashanti Brown, 23, is facing a second-degree murder charge in the death of 26-year-old Ian Pleasant.

Brown is also charged with tampering with physical evidence after Pleasant was found shot at an apartment in Pensacola. According to Law&Crime, Brown interrupted the hearing while investigators were discussing her statements about the shooting.

Brown has said Pleasant beat her and that she acted in self-defense. Investigators have disputed her account of what happened before the shooting.

Brown shouted about the alleged abuse in court

Brown became upset while Escambia County Sheriff’s Office investigator Ashley Wallace was testifying. She shouted, “What about him beating on me?!” and then said, “He was beating my face! I didn’t do nothing.” Deputies removed her from the courtroom after the outburst.

The judge continued the hearing without Brown and found probable cause for the charges. Brown remains in custody as the case moves forward.

Investigators say Brown gave different accounts of the shooting. The arrest report says the couple had argued after Pleasant learned Brown had been communicating with other men.

Brown told investigators that Pleasant put a gun on the kitchen table and that she grabbed it. She said he then moved toward her and asked, “what the f*** are you going to do?” before she fired. Her account echoes a Florida woman accused of murder who also said she shot a man after he allegedly attacked and threatened to kill her.

Investigators say Brown later gave another version, saying Pleasant grabbed the gun first and that it went off during a struggle. Pleasant was shot in the back, investigators said. They cited the wound location and bullet trajectory as reasons they questioned Brown’s account of the confrontation.

Investigators also say Brown did not call 911 after the shooting. They allege she contacted a friend instead and asked him to help clean the apartment. The role of an emergency call has also come up in a Florida boyfriend shooting case, where an earlier 911 call was cited in connection with a woman’s self-defense claim.

Investigators further allege that Brown drove Pleasant’s vehicle and disposed of his phone and the gun. A Ring camera from the scene was later recovered from a storm drain, while the gun has not been found.

Florida law allows a person to use deadly force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm. Brown’s self-defense claim will be considered as the criminal case continues.

Brown remains in the Escambia County Jail without bond. Her next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 25.