WKRN, Nashville, Tennessee News, Weather, and Sports |Gunman fires shot at MTSU student, arrested by campus police

Gunman fires shot at MTSU student, arrested by campus police

A 20-year-old Murfreesboro man is behind bars Friday, accused of firing a shot at a student on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University Thursday night.

Police said 22-year-old Elizabeth Pittenger was getting into her car parked outside the university's recreation center on the east side of campus at about 9 p.m. when she was approached by the suspect later identified as Orlando Edmiston.

Pittenger told News 2 she was on the phone with her sister when he first demanded her phone, and then her laptop.

She recalled, "...The first thing he said was give me your phone and I said, ‘Are you kidding me?' He said, ‘No, give me your phone and laptop.'"

Pittenger said she struggled with the suspect and he backed off but moments later, fired one shot.

Miraculously, it hit her purse and she was not injured.

Two MTSU police officers in the area heard the shot and rushed to the scene.

While one officer was able to find Edmiston, tackle him and make an arrest, the other recovered the weapon he is believed to have fired, MTSU Police Chief Buddy Peaster said.

Police said Pittenger's oversized purse blocked what could have been deadly shot.

She credits it with saving her life and said from now on, won't take any chances alone on campus.

"I'd say I'll be using campus escort service definitely," she said.  "My dad has said he'll be up here every night when I get out of class."

Edmiston faces several charges, including attempted murder, robbery and possession of a weapon on school property.

He is being held in the Rutherford County jail.

He does not attend MTSU.