Billy Schmidt, 22, was killed after a confrontation caught on neighborhood cameras.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Philadelphia police were searching Sunday for suspects in the fatal shooting of Billy Schmidt, a 22-year-old Penn State student killed steps from his South Philadelphia home.
The shooting happened early Saturday after Schmidt walked home from watching the NBA Finals with friends, his father said. Police said investigators are reviewing surveillance video from the area near 20th and Durfor streets. The videos show part of the confrontation, but officials have not released the suspects’ identities or announced charges.
Schmidt was shot around 1:30 a.m. on the 1900 block of Durfor Street. His family said the incident appeared to begin with the theft of his phone. In video described by neighbors, Schmidt can be heard saying, “Give me back my phone,” before the gunfire. A neighbor, Ezra Roulinavage, called the killing “abhorrent” and said it was hard to understand that someone could be killed over a phone.
Schmidt’s father, Bill Schmidt, said his son had been returning from a local bar when he was attacked near the family’s home. He said he later found the phone under a car and gave it to police. Other neighbors turned over surveillance footage from cameras on nearby homes. One video appeared to show two young men speaking with Schmidt before he followed them into the street. Another showed one person ducking behind parked cars while another ran away.
At Penn State, Schmidt was a communications student and was preparing for his senior year. The university said he was a digital journalism and media student from Philadelphia. In a statement, Penn State said it shared condolences with Schmidt’s family and friends and said student affairs staff were contacting the family. Relatives said he was expected to graduate in December, a milestone now replaced by funeral planning and a homicide investigation.
The case is now in the hands of Philadelphia homicide detectives. Police have not said whether the suspects knew Schmidt, whether a weapon has been recovered or whether the phone was the only item taken. Investigators also have not released a full description of the suspects. The available evidence includes surveillance video, witness accounts from the block and the phone recovered near the scene.
Neighbors gathered near the shooting scene as flowers and candles were placed along the block. Some said Schmidt had grown up around the neighborhood and was known as quiet and respectful. “My kid played with him when they were little,” one neighbor said. Others said the family deserves answers and that the videos may help police identify the people who ran from the scene after the shot was fired.
As of Sunday afternoon, police had not announced any arrests. Detectives were continuing to examine video and collect tips while Schmidt’s family waited for word on who killed him.
Author note: Last updated June 7, 2026.