A massive search is in progress following the fatal shooting of a Pennsylvania State University student, believed to be linked to an attempted armed robbery.
Tragedy struck when 22-year-old Billy Schmidt was fatally shot just a few blocks from his residence in Philadelphia in the early hours of Saturday morning. According to the Philadelphia Police Department, officers responding to the scene discovered him with a gunshot wound to the chest.
Schmidt was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital, where he was declared deceased shortly after his arrival at 1:47 a.m.
In an interview with ABC7, Schmidt’s father, Bill Schmidt, recounted that his son had been returning home from a bar where he had been watching the NBA Finals with friends.
Security footage provided to investigators reveals a chilling sequence of events. The video captures Schmidt pleading for the return of his phone, followed by the sound of gunfire. It depicts a man discarding a cellphone, with another individual sprinting around a corner as Billy Schmidt gave chase, only to be tragically shot in the chest moments later.
Security video given to police shows Schmidt asking for his phone back before several shots were heard that killed the college student. It shows a man throwing a cellphone before another individual can be seen running around a corner being chased by Billy Schmidt, who was then shot in the chest.
Billy Schmidt was a senior at Pennsylvania State University, where he was set to graduate in December.
“He was a really good person who cared about everybody and never hurt or bothered a soul, never bothered anyone and for him to get shot like that is a travesty,” Bill Schmidt said. “I’m shocked when they stole his phone that he chased them.”
Schmidt was a senior at Penn State, where he was set to graduate in December. (Provided by family/Fox29)
Police have not made an arrest in connection to the college student’s killing. One neighbor urged anyone with information to help police.
“I want justice, I want the kid that shot Billy to be found,” a neighbor said. “If anyone’s out there that recognizes anything… they seem young to me. If anyone has any information or recognizes anything about the kids, I would love for them to come forward.”
Security video captured portions of the shooting. (Ezra Roulinavage)
Anna Schmidt, Billy Schmidt’s sister, said in a GoFundMe the Penn State student “was a beloved brother, friend, and member of our community, and his loss has left us all in shock.”
The family has raised more than $48,000 since Billy Schmidt was killed.
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