A Penn State senior was fatally shot in South Philadelphia after a dispute that investigators say began when his phone was taken, and police have released surveillance footage and offered a reward as the community mourns and demands answers.
Billy Schmidt, 22, was killed in the early hours in the 1900 block of Durfor Street, just steps from his family home. Authorities say he was returning from a nearby bar where he had been watching the NBA Finals with friends. The death has left neighbors shaken and a tight circle of friends looking for justice.
Police released surveillance video showing several people walking in the neighborhood shortly before the shooting. Investigators say the footage captures the group moving along 20th Street from Ritner Street toward Jackson Street, then later fleeing on foot near 22nd and Porter after shots rang out. Detectives are piecing those movements together as they trace what happened in the minutes that preceded the killing.
‘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.’ That was how a family member described Billy, and the words have echoed through the neighborhood since the tragedy. Friends and relatives keep returning to that same sense of disbelief and loss.
Surveillance captured what looks like the moments leading up to the shooting, according to investigators. In one clip, a man appears to throw a cell phone. Seconds later, another man runs around a corner with Schmidt chasing him, and the gunman turns and fires, striking Schmidt in the chest.
Surveillance video captured by nearby cameras appears to show the moments leading up to the shooting. In one video, a man can be seen throwing a cell phone. Seconds later, another man runs around a corner with Schmidt chasing him. The gunman then turns around and shoots Schmidt in the chest.
Bill Schmidt said he later found his son’s phone under a car and turned it over to police.
“I’m shocked he chased them after they took his phone,” the victim’s father said, reliving the baffling sequence of events. He later found his son’s phone under a car and handed it to investigators. Family members are left with the horror of a young life ended over what began as a theft, or an attempted theft, and the void that follows.
Friends gathered at an impromptu memorial in South Philadelphia, sharing memories and supporting one another. “Leaning on each other is all we did growing up, and that’s what we’ll continue to do,” one friend said, reflecting the way the community is trying to cope. Others urged authorities to find and hold accountable anyone involved.
“I hope they find them. I want [them] in jail. That’s what I want. They don’t deserve to get to walk away from what they did,” another friend said, demanding accountability. A vigil was organized for the neighborhood to honor Schmidt’s memory and to give grieving friends and family a place to gather. The mood was solemn, and the calls for answers have been loud.
“The way he always said goodbye. It was a big hug and ‘I love you,’ and I’m happy we got to say that one last time,” a close friend remembered, clinging to the small comforts that remain. The loss is personal and immediate for those who knew him well. The family has been supported by neighbors and long-time friends who say they will keep his memory alive.
“They are animals for doing that to him,” the victim’s sister said, according to a video. Anger and grief have combined into a single demand: find those responsible and put them before a court. Police have urged anyone with information to come forward so investigators can close this chapter for the family.
Authorities have announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, and they ask that anyone with relevant tips call 215-686-TIPS. The investigation remains active as detectives review the released footage and follow leads from the public. Neighbors continue to process the loss, hoping the pictures on camera will finally lead to answers.
