A 22-year-old Penn State student was shot dead in Philadelphia after trying to stop robbers who had stolen his mobile phone, leaving family, friends and neighbours devastated by a senseless act of violence.Billy Schmidt was killed in the early hours of Saturday morning, just steps away from his family home in south Philadelphia. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators showed Schmidt being confronted by suspects at around 1.30 am before a gunshot was heard moments later.Schmidt was heard pleading, “Give me back my phone” shortly before he was shot, reports the New York Post.Emergency responders rushed him to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, but he later died from his injuries.The killing has shocked residents in the neighbourhood, many of whom struggled to understand how a dispute over a phone could end in tragedy.“Over a phone. It’s abhorrent,” local resident Ezra Roulinavage told NBC 10. “It’s just unbelievable that someone would kill someone over a phone.”Schmidt’s father, Bill Schmidt, said his son had been returning home after watching the NBA Finals with friends when the robbery took place.
The stolen phone was later found discarded beneath a nearby car.“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,” the grieving father told ABC 7.Bill Schmidt said he was surprised his son chose to pursue the suspects after the theft.“I’m shocked when they stole his phone that he chased them,” the grieving father added.
“Supposedly when he got to the corner another came out and he shot him.”Police have not announced any arrests in the case and the investigation remains ongoing.Family members and neighbours remembered Schmidt as a kind and hardworking young man with a bright future ahead of him. He was studying digital journalism and media through Penn State World Campus and was due to graduate in December.In a statement, Penn State expressed its condolences following the student’s death.“We are heartbroken this morning to learn of the tragic death of William Schmidt, and we share are deepest condolences with his family and friends. William was a fourth semester student from Philadelphia studying digital journalism and media at Penn State World Campus,” the university said.
