Purse stops bullet from hitting student

MURFREESBORO - Police say the contents in an oversized purse saved a 22-year-old Middle Tennessee State University student's life, stopping a bullet during an attempted robbery.

MTSU Police Chief Buddy Peaster says Elizabeth Pittenger was walking to her car on campus Thursday evening when a man confronted her and demanded her purse, cell phone and laptop.

Pittenger fought the man off and he shot in her before fleeing. Peaster says a calculator, umbrella and case stopped the bullet from piercing Pittenger's waist. She was not harmed.

Police nearby heard the gunshots and arrested 20-year-old Orlando Edmiston. Officers found the .38 caliber handgun beneath a parked van near the scene.

Edmiston is charged with attempted murder, attempted armed robbery and possession of a weapon on school property. He remains in Rutherford County Adult Detention Center where his bail has been set for $35,000.