‘Heartbroken.’ Penn State student fatally shot near his home in Philadelphia
A Penn State journalism student was fatally shot close to his home in South Philadelphia early Saturday morning in a suspected robbery, according to multiple reports.
Billy Schmidt, 22, was shot yards away from his home in the 1900 block of Durfor Street at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, after walking home from a local bar where he was watching the NBA Finals with friends, according to a 6ABC report.
Local surveillance video showed footage leading up to the shooting where in one video, a man can be seen throwing a cellphone and seconds later, another man runs around a corner with Schmidt chasing him, the news outlet reported. The gunman turned around and shot Schmidt in the chest soon after he was heard pleading, “Give me back my phone,” a report by NBC10 described.
His father, Bill Schmidt, found his son’s phone under a car and turned it over to the police, he told 6ABC.
“I’m shocked when they stole his phone that he chased them,” he told the outlet. “Supposedly when he got to the corner, another came out and he shot him.”
Schmidt was a fourth semester student studying digital journalism and media at Penn State World Campus, the university’s online programs, a Penn State spokesman said.
“We are heartbroken over the tragic death of William Schmidt, and we share our deepest condolences with his family and friends,” a university spokesman wrote to the CDT. “Penn State Student Affairs is reaching out to William’s family to provide support.”
Schmidt’s family created a GoFundMe campaign called “Support for Billy Schmidt’s Loved Ones” that has raised more than $53,000 toward its $70,000 goal as of Monday afternoon. According to the campaign description, donations would help cover essential costs and provide stability as they “navigate the days ahead.”
“In the midst of our grief, we are facing unexpected expenses that have added to the emotional burden of this difficult time,” Anna Schmidt, Billy’s sister, wrote on the page.
Local neighbors have also begun setting up a memorial at the location where Schmidt was shot, which was directly across the street from where he lived, according to the report by 6ABC.
The report describes additional surveillance footage that shows one man approaching Schmidt before he followed him. Another video shows one person crouching behind parked cars while the other flees.
Police have not announced any arrests and continue to investigate the motive behind what appears to have been an attempted robbery.
Penn State counseling services are available for students in need. Commonwealth Campus students can find Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) information for their campus online. University Park students can contact CAPS at 814-863-0395. The 24-hour Penn State Crisis Line is available to all Penn State students by calling 1-877-229-6400 or texting LIONS to 741741.
