Pennsylvania State Police and the Schuylkill County District Attorney's Office announced yesterday during a press conference that no charges will be filed against an East Brunswick homeowner who shot and killed an 18-year-old intruder inside his home.

"We believed that it was important to announce this decision as soon as it was made," said District Attorney Karen Byrnes-Noon. "Initially, our thoughts go out to the families who have dealt with this tragic incident."The police report states that Curt Stein, 49, of 57 Steep Mountain Road, McKeansburg, shot and killed neighbor Zachary Foster, 18, of 150 N. Market St., during a physical confrontation after Stein found Foster inside his home around 5:30 p.m. last Saturday.The report added that Stein pulled up to his home and noticed evidence of a break-in. Upon entering, Stein, who had grabbed his gun from his vehicle, found Foster inside.Foster allegedly began to physically assault him. That is when Stein shot Foster. Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David Moylan said Foster suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the left side of his head."No charges will be filed in this unfortunate incident," said Byrnes-Noon, who said the decision was made after a thorough investigation by many members of the state police, detectives and attorneys from her office.She added that the investigation included interviews at the scene, interviews of neighbors, interviews with the family of the deceased, investigation and collection of evidence at the scene, review of the 911 tape, review of the footage of the home security system, interviews at the PSP barracks after the incident, viewing of numerous photographs and discussions with the coroner.State Trooper John Powis, the investigating officer, said that Stein had a valid permit to carry the handgun. He added that a pocket knife was found where the physical confrontation took place, although it was not determined whether Foster had the pocket knife out during the incident.Powis added even though Stein and Foster were neighbors and familiar with each other, it was not until the two men were scuffling that Stein said he knew who he was dealing with.