Penn State student shot after phone robbery in Philly
A 22-year-old Penn State student was shot and killed early Saturday morning in South Philadelphia after confronting robbers who stole his phone. The victim, identified by his family as Billy Schmidt, was pronounced dead at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center following the incident near 20th and Durfor streets.
According to police and surveillance footage reviewed by investigators, the shooting occurred around 1:30 a.m. on June 7. Video shows Schmidt interacting with two individuals before following them into the street. An audible plea of "Give me back my phone" is heard on the recording, followed moments later by a gunshot. Schmidt's father, Bill Schmidt, said his son was returning home from watching the NBA Finals with friends when he was robbed and then shot after he gave chase.
Family members described Schmidt as a senior at Penn State World Campus, where he was studying digital journalism and media and was set to graduate in December. "He was a really good person who cared about everybody and never hurt or bothered a soul," his father told local news outlets. "For him to get shot like that is a travesty."
Neighbors expressed shock and grief over the killing. "Over a phone. It's...