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Family wants answers after Penn State student killed in South Philly robbery
Billy Schmidt, a 22-year-old Penn State senior slated to graduate in December, was fatally shot just steps from his South Philadelphia home early Saturday morning. FOX 29's JoAnn Pileggi spoke with the victim's family.
PHILADELPHIA - Pennsylvania State University officials are reacting to the death of a student who was shot and killed just steps from his South Philadelphia home over the weekend during a suspected robbery.
The backstory:
Billy Schmidt, 22, was shot and killed around 1:30 a.m. Saturday on the 1900 block of Durfor Street, just blocks away from his own home in what his family says was potentially an armed robbery attempt.
Surveillance video provided to police by neighbors captured the tense moments immediately preceding the gunfire.
In the footage, Schmidt can be heard asking for his phone back right before the fatal shots were fired.
No arrests have been made as of Monday.
What they're saying:
Schmidt was a senior at Penn State University and was planning to graduate this upcoming December.
In a statement issued Monday, Penn State officials shared that Schmidt had been studying digital journalism and media.
"We are heartbroken over the tragic death of William Schmidt and we share our deepest condolences with his family and friends," the statement read in part.
School officials say they are in touch with Schmidt's family providing support. Counseling was also made available to classmates and students in need.
What you can do:
A GoFundMe has been set up to support Billy’s family. You can find that fundraiser by clicking here.
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The Source: This article includes information gatherers as part of previous FOX 29 reporting, as well as a written statement from Pennsylvania State University.