[192]MTSU POLICE QUICKLY NAB SUSPECT IN ROBBERY ATTEMPT

MTSU POLICE QUICKLY NAB SUSPECT IN ROBBERY ATTEMPT
Officers Hear Shot Fired, Tackle and Arrest Man on Campus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 6, 2008
EDITORIAL CONTACTS: Chief Buddy Peaster, 615-898-2426
Gina E. Fann, 615-898-5385

(MURFREESBORO)— Middle Tennessee State University Police have arrested a Murfreesboro man after he allegedly fired a gun at a student during an unsuccessful robbery attempt on campus Thursday evening.
MTSU Police Chief Buddy Peaster said Orlando Edmiston, 20, of Murfreesboro, will be charged with attempted robbery, attempted murder and possession of a weapon on school property in the incident, which occurred shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday outside the university’s Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center on the east side of campus.
The alleged victim was not struck by the bullet or otherwise seriously harmed, the chief said.
“The young lady was just getting into her car in the parking lot and this fellow came up and demanded her purse and her laptop,” the chief said. “They struggled a bit, and he turned around and fired one shot at her with a .38 (caliber) revolver.”
The suspect, who is not an MTSU student, then attempted to flee the scene, Peaster said.
“We had two officers nearby, one running LiDAR (light detection and ranging speed monitoring) just down the street and another on patrol, and they both heard the shots and rushed to the scene,” the chief explained.
“The officer running LiDAR (Leroy Carter) tackled the suspect and took him into custody, and the other officer (Jason Myatt) assisted in recovering the weapon that we believe was used in the crime.”
The suspect was taken to the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center for booking. Bond and a court date will be set later, Peaster said.
The chief added that anyone with additional information about the incident may call the MTSU Police Department at 615-898-2424 or CrimeStoppers at 615-893-STOP (893-7867).

For MTSU news and information anytime, visit www.mtsunews.com.

—30—