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Student shot dead after chasing phone robbers in Philadelphia
🇮🇳 India /Crime & Justice

Student shot dead after chasing phone robbers in Philadelphia

From Times of India · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • A 22-year-old Penn State student was fatally shot in Philadelphia after confronting robbers who stole his phone.
  • The student, identified as Billy Schmidt, was returning home when the incident occurred early Saturday morning.
  • Police have not made any arrests, and the investigation into the senseless act of violence is ongoing.

A senseless act of violence has left a Philadelphia community reeling after a 22-year-old Penn State student was shot and killed while trying to retrieve his stolen mobile phone. Billy Schmidt was attacked in the early hours of Saturday morning, just a short distance from his family home in South Philadelphia.

Give me back my phone

— Billy SchmidtSchmidt's plea to the robbers before being shot.

Surveillance footage reportedly shows Schmidt confronting the suspects around 1:30 a.m. Witnesses and reports indicate he pleaded, "Give me back my phone," moments before a gunshot was heard. Emergency responders transported Schmidt to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The incident has deeply shocked local residents, many of whom expressed disbelief that a dispute over a phone could escalate to such a tragic outcome.

Over a phone. It’s abhorrent. It’s just unbelievable that someone would kill someone over a phone.

— Ezra RoulinavageA local resident's reaction to the shooting.

Schmidt's father, Bill Schmidt, shared that his son was returning home after watching the NBA Finals with friends when the robbery took place. The stolen phone was later discovered discarded under a nearby car. The grieving father described his son as a kind and compassionate individual who never harmed anyone, calling his death a "travesty." He expressed surprise that his son pursued the robbers, noting that another suspect allegedly emerged and fired the fatal shot.

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.

— Bill SchmidtBilly Schmidt's father describing his son.

Police have yet to announce any arrests in connection with the shooting, and the investigation remains active. Family members and neighbors remember Billy Schmidt as a hardworking and kind young man with a promising future. He was pursuing a degree in digital journalism and media through Penn State World Campus and was scheduled to graduate in December. Penn State University issued a statement expressing deep condolences to Schmidt's family and friends, acknowledging his status as a student from Philadelphia.

I’m shocked when they stole his phone that he chased them. Supposedly when he got to the corner another came out and he shot him.

— Bill SchmidtBilly Schmidt's father expressing shock at his son's actions and the circumstances of the shooting.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of India in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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