Man wanted in off-duty Philadelphia officer car theft linked to Penn State student's murder

PHILADELPHIA - The brother of a suspect charged in the June shooting of Penn State student Billy Schmidt is also being sought for the murder after he was allegedly involved in the theft of an off-duty police officer's vehicle.

What we know:

Investigators believe 19-year-old Khadfi Fleming was most recently involved in the theft of an off-duty Philadelphia police officer's car. 

Police say early Monday morning officers near 70th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard observed a red Lexus driving without headlights being followed closely by a dark-colored SUV. Two males suddenly ran to the Lexus, according to police, and gunfire was exchanged.

Investigators say the suspects had just stolen a green Dodge Charger from the 6900 block of Grosbeak Place. The car’s owner, an off-duty Philadelphia Police officer, followed the suspects and confronted them on the 2900 block of South 70th Street, where gunfire was exchanged. Police say there is no evidence anyone was hit.

Officers tried to follow the red Lexus but lost sight of it near 63rd Street and Lindbergh Boulevard.

The red Lexus, with New York plates, was reported stolen August 9 from the 1600 block of Ogden Street. It was later found abandoned in the 4800 block of Merion Street. The green Dodge Charger was recovered at the scene with a broken window and steering column damage, along with numerous 9mm shell casings.

Police say the suspects then switched to another stolen car—a blue Lexus with Pennsylvania registration MVX-2059, which was reported stolen August 9 from 33rd and Cumberland Streets.

Penn State student homicide

Authorities on Monday said Fleming is also being sought as a suspect in the June robbery-turned-fatal shooting of Penn State student, Billy Schmidt. 

Schmidt, 22, was shot and killed around 1:30 a.m. Saturday on the 1900 block of Durfor Street, just blocks away from his home. His family says it was potentially an armed robbery attempt.

Surveillance video provided to police by neighbors captured the moments before the gunfire. In the footage, Schmidt can be heard asking for his phone back right before the fatal shots were fired.

Khadfi Fleming's 16-year-old brother, Azzubair Outen-Fleming, was captured in June on the run in Colorado. Kaiseem Smith surrendered to police soon after.

According to investigators, their mother was arrested for violation of probation and their stepfather, who allegedly drove Outen-Fleming to Colorado Springs.

"She’s still in jail, his stepfather was also arrested pursuant to that murder investigation he is still in jail, so this is somebody that clearly has help from the public, clearly has help from his friends, maybe some family members we’re not sure, we’re running down every possible lead," says Clark. "But we don’t put it out of the realm of possibility that he fled the state as well," said Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal.

Schmidt was a senior at Penn State University, studying digital journalism and media, and was planning to graduate in December.

By the numbers:

Philadelphia police say more than 8,700 vehicles have been stolen in the city so far this year, but that number is down from this time last year. Authorities say suspects used a stolen Lexus to steal the officer’s car, then switched to another stolen blue Lexus after abandoning the first vehicle.

U.S. Marshals say multiple tips have come in on Kadafi Fleming, 19, since they announced their search for him on Monday morning.

"Khadafi Flemming is clearly a person who has a repeated history of offenses that involves stolen vehicles," said Clark. "This is somebody in my opinion that is very dangerous; anybody that shoots at police we consider a clear and imminent threat," said Clark.

Authorities believe Fleming may be getting help from friends or family and are not ruling out the possibility that he has left the state.

What they're saying:

"We’ve seen an uptick in our fugitives that are involved, that have a nexus to stolen vehicles," says Clark. "Clearly there’s been some acts of violence here in the city that involve stolen cars but on the contrary, I think the police department has done an excellent job of solving these crimes and when they want somebody to be found, they know to contact our task force."

The U.S. Marshals say Fleming is known to frequent South Philadelphia and has former ties to Delaware. 

There is a reward for information leading to his arrest.

Authorities continue to follow every lead as the search for Fleming expands beyond Philadelphia.

What you can do:

The U.S. Marshals Service in Philadelphia is offering an immediate cash reward for information leading to his whereabouts, as Fleming is actively wanted on separate, outstanding robbery charges. Anyone with information is urged to call 1-866-865-TIPS (8477).

What we don't know:

Authorities have not confirmed Fleming’s current location or whether he has left the state. It is also unclear who may be helping him avoid arrest.

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