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Langeloth man shotguns teen
Staff writer
LANGELOTH - A Langeloth man apparently intent on stopping two teenagers from trying to rob him for the second time in just a few weeks is in Washington County Jail on charges including attempted homicide after allegedly shooting one of the boys in the back early Saturday.
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Iannitelli came home from work about 5:30 a.m. when he was confronted by the two teenagers wearing masks. One was armed with a baseball bat and the other with what was later determined to be a BB gun, North said.
"The two teenagers approached him and demanded money," North said. "They then hit him twice with a baseball bat."
Iannitelli then pulled out a 12-gauge shotgun and shot a 16-year-old boy in the back as the two ran. The victim was identified in a criminal complaint filed by police with District Judge William Pelkey as Chris Sunday of Burgettstown. He was flown from a landing zone set up at the Langeloth baseball field to UPMC-Presbyterian hospital, were he reportedly underwent surgery. A spokeswoman said the hospital was asked not to release information about the teen.
Sunday's alleged accomplice fled without stopping to help his friend. North said late Saturday morning that police do not yet know the second boy's identity.
"The same thing happened two weeks ago," North said of an earlier robbery attempt involving Iannitelli and two teenagers. "It happened about the same time and with the same (modus operandi). That time, he was able to get back inside his vehicle before they came after him."
North believes the same two teenagers were involved in that robbery attempt.
When North asked Iannitelli why he shot at the boys, the suspect reportedly responded, "I was tired of it happening."
Michelle Cheplic was asleep inside her home just a few doors from Iannitelli's residence when she heard the shot and then screaming.
"My fiance went outside and yelled for me to call 911," Cheplic said. "I was scared, and I panicked."
Her fiance, Raymond Prevost, told her it was safe and no one else was outside. Cheplic then went out to help.
"He was screaming the most horrifying yell for help," Cheplic said of the injured 16-year-old.
Cheplic, a certified nursing assistant who works for the Washington County Health Center, said she assisted in putting pressure on the boy's wound when Smith police asked her to help until emergency medical personnel arrived.
She said Iannitelli admitted to shooting the boy.
Cheplic said the entire neighborhood was shocked by the event Saturday morning.
"I believe he was just trying to defend himself after they came after him again," Cheplic said of Iannitelli. "My only concern is that it happened too close to my house."
She said Iannitelli lived with his mother. He said the two kept to themselves and were very quiet.
"They never bothered anyone," she said. "The only time you'd see them outside was to do yard work. You'd hardly see them long enough to wave."
North said Sunday's parents thought their son was at his brother's home in Pittsburgh.
Iannitelli was arraigned before District Judge William Pelkey and placed in Washington County Jail without bond. A preliminary hearing is tentatively set for 10 a.m. Sept. 10 before District Judge Gary Havelka.
North said the teens both will face charges including aggravated assault and robbery. He will consult with the Washington County district attorney's office about trying them as adults.
Assisting North at the scene was Sgt. Bernie LaRue, officer in charge of the Smith police department, and Midway police.
