Pennsylvania: Charges Dropped Against Man Who Shot Would-Be Robber: "A would-be victim who fought back during an attempted robbery at his East Third Street home in Langeloth, Washington County, is no longer charged with attempted homicide. On Sept. 1, Eraldo Iannitelli, 48, was allegedly attacked outside his home by two teens wearing masks, carrying a baseball bat and BB gun. Iannitelli said the two teens demanded money. After being hit several times, Iannitelli said he reached into his car, grabbed a shotgun and fired once, hitting a 16-year-old in the back. On Wednesday, all charges were dropped against Iannitelli."


North Carolina: Self-Defense Shooting: "In Cherokee County, North Carolina, a case of mistaken identity caused a fatal shooting. It happened yesterday on Old Peachtree Road, a few miles northeast of Murphy. Cherokee County Sheriff Keith Lovin says Luis Wajda and Ruthann King were arguing when they called a friend to come pick them up. When Corey Luther arrived, Wajda thought he was King's ex-boyfriend, and fired his pistol. Police say Luther ultimately returned shots from a shotgun, killing Wajda. "The person attempted to retreat as far as he could," Sheriff Loving said. "He was fired upon first and continued to be fired upon, and acted to protect himself." Corey Luther was not charged or arrested. Sheriff Lovin says unless his department turns up new information, it's unlikely the District Attorney will bring any charges."


Indiana customer stops store robber: "A 51-year-old man stopped a masked man from robbing a Southside grocery store and held him at gunpoint until police arrived. Charlie Merrell was in checkout line at Bucks IGA Supermarket, 3015 S. Meridian St., when a masked man jumped a nearby counter and held a gun on a store employee at 5:17 p.m. Monday, according to a police report made public today. While the suspect was demanding cash from the workers, the police report states that Merrell pulled his own handgun, pointed it at the robber and ordered him to put down his weapon. When the suspect hesitated, Merrell racked the slide on his gun to load a round in the chamber, Officer Jason Bockting wrote in the report. The suspect placed his gun and a bag of cash on the counter, dropping some of the money, police said. The suspect removed his mask and lay on the floor. Merrell held the suspect at gunpoint until officers arrived and took him away in handcuffs. Merrell had a valid permit to carry the handgun, police said. Police recovered an unloaded .380-caliber handgun from the suspect and $779 in cash, according to the report. Dwain Smith, 19, was arrested on initial charges of robbery, criminal confinement, pointing a firearm, battery and carrying a handgun without a license. Smith remained held this morning in the Marion County Jail with bond set at $30,000, records show."