A Penn State senior tragically lost his life just steps from his Philadelphia residence. The 22-year-old journalism student, Billy Schmidt, was shot and killed after pursuing suspects who reportedly stole his cellphone, only months shy of his graduation.
News Media obtained police dispatch audio that vividly captures the frantic aftermath of the June 6 incident. The recording includes officers discussing the discovery of a shell casing at the scene, providing a description of the suspect, and noting how the alleged shooter turned back to fire before escaping.
The Philadelphia Police Department informed News Media that the details aired over police radio have not yet been verified and stressed that the homicide investigation is still active. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the case.
“I hope they find these animals and put them in cages for the rest of their lives,” expressed Anna Schmidt, the victim’s grieving sister, in an interview with Fox News’ CB Cotton. “I don’t care how old they are. They deserve to spend the rest of their life in jail for taking away my brother. I don’t think anyone will ever understand this pain that they have caused.”
“He was unarmed. And all this for a phone? It just doesn’t even make sense,” she added.
The dispatch audio reveals the frantic response after the shooting.
“It’s going to be one man shot in the chest,” an officer can be heard reporting in one dispatch transmission.
Minutes later, another transmission provided new details from the scene.
“We have one male shot, one confirmed chest so far,” a dispatcher said, adding that one casing was found in front of the address.
The audio also captures officers relaying witness information about the shooting.
“The offender then turned around and shot the male once in the chest and ran,” an officer said over police radio.
Billy Schmidt was shot and killed on Saturday. (Bill Schmidt)
Police confirmed to Fox News the shooter was wearing a black-colored hoodie.
In a later transmission, police described the suspect as a thin-built Black male approximately 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-9 who was last seen running westbound on DeFord Street.
Anna Schmidt said she believes someone knows who is responsible for her brother’s death.
“I need everyone to help find them because someone knows them,” she said. “Someone has to know who did it. Just bring some peace to my family. I pray every day that they find them.”
According to investigators, Schmidt was walking home after watching the NBA Finals with friends when the robbery unfolded around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
Surveillance video previously released by investigators appears to show Schmidt saying, “Give me my phone,” before chasing after the suspects. Additional footage shows a cellphone being thrown before Schmidt runs after the individuals. Moments later, a gunshot rings out.
Responding officers found Schmidt suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead at 1:47 a.m., police said.
Schmidt was a journalism student through Penn State World Campus and was on track to graduate in December.
Schmidt was a senior at Penn State, where he was set to graduate in December. (Provided by family/Fox29)
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“We are heartbroken over the tragic death of William Schmidt and we share our deepest condolences with his family and friends,” Penn State said in a statement.
The city of Philadelphia is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Billy’s father, Bill Schmidt, told Cotton he found his son’s cellphone shortly after the shooting and turned it over to investigators.
“I found the phone on 19th,” he said. “I called police after. I didn’t realize I touched it.”
Bill Schmidt said investigators are attempting to recover DNA and fingerprint evidence from the device.
“They’re trying to get DNA, and they have a print on the phone, but they don’t know if it’s mine, Billy’s, or the person who threw it,” he said. “But they’re trying to get DNA off the phone.”
The elder Schmidt described his son as a sports-loving Phillies and Eagles fan who sold baseball cards and was looking forward to graduating from Penn State.
“He loved sports. He was selling baseball cards. He was a senior at Penn State,” Bill Schmidt said. “All he used to do was watch the Phillies and Eagles.”
“He was just a really nice kid. I’m surprised he even went to chase, because he’s not an aggressive kid at all. He’s a wonderful kid.”
The loss remains almost impossible for the family to comprehend.
“I would just tell him how much I love him and miss him, and to come home,” Anna Schmidt said. “He needs to be here.”
Bill Schmidt said investigators are attempting to recover forensic evidence from the device.
The grieving father also called on city leaders to do more to combat violent crime.
“They gotta clean the city up,” he said. “To stop the violence. This can’t happen every day.”
Police have not announced any arrests in the case and continue to ask anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.
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