‘Was it worth it?' Girlfriend of teen shot while chasing intruders speaks out

BEN AVON, Pa. — While the search continues for a fourth person involved in a botched robbery turned homicide, the girlfriend of the teenager fatally shot during the incident has one message for the suspects: “Was it worth it?”

RELATED: 3rd person charged in fatal shooting of teen who chased intruders

Investigators said officers found Kyle Stauber on Jan. 27 on Spruce Run Road in Ben Avon, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

Police said Stauber was the target of a home invasion and was shot when he tried to chase the intruders.

Melissa Chantz, Stauber’s girlfriend, was inside the Ben Avon home during the home invasion.

“The door swings open and I see a guy in a green hoodie step away from the door. I didn't really think we were getting robbed at first,” she told Channel 11 News on Wednesday.

She said the intruders were looking for a $300 bong. Police said the bong belong to one of three people now charged in connection with the robbery and Stauber’s death.

Chantz said when the robbers ran out of the home, she had just one instinct.

“(My) instant reflex (was) to protect the home. I just ran after them. I was close to one of the assailants, and (the) first gun shot went off towards me. I ducked out of the way, and I’m guessing Kyle thought I got shot and sped out and continued to go forward,” she said.

Chantz said what happened next was surreal.

“Everything stopped. I heard him yell (for) help, and I ran to him. He was shot, and I held pressure in there as tightly as I could,” she said.

Another man inside the home who spoke with Channel 11 News but did not want to be identified said he heard the gunshots.

“I went into panic mode since I saw three go out and I heard three shots. I thought all three of them were shot, and they were coming back for us,” he said.

Gregg Scholze, Kayla Naper and John Pignanelli have each been charged with criminal homicide and criminal conspiracy. Scholze faces additional charges of aggravated assault and recklessly endangering another person.

Authorities said they are still looking for a fourth person allegedly involved in the robbery and fatal shooting.

Cox Media Group