Philadelphia Police Seek Suspects in Penn State Student’s Murder
Philadelphia police have shared a video of two individuals wanted in connection with the homicide of a Penn State student who was returning home from an NBA Finals celebration.
Authorities released the footage following the tragic shooting of Billy Schmidt, 22, during an attempted armed robbery early Saturday morning. Officers discovered him with a gunshot wound to the chest, and he was pronounced dead just minutes after arriving at a local hospital.
On Wednesday night, police identified two suspects, noting that they discarded sweatshirts and masks near 22nd and Porter Streets.
In the surveillance video, one suspect is described as a Black male, standing between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 5 inches. He was reportedly wearing dark clothes and a light gray camouflage face mask, and he was armed with a handgun.
The second suspect is about 5 feet 8 inches tall and has braids. He was seen wearing a uniquely designed KONFUSED hoodie, which is light gray and features three skulls with jeweled halos above each.
Investigators revealed that Schmidt was on his way home from the game with friends when the robbery occurred. Earlier surveillance footage even captured him pursuing the suspect and asking for his stolen phone back. A phone was seen being tossed to the ground, followed closely by a gunshot.
Schmidt was majoring in journalism and was set to graduate in December from Penn State World Campus. His father, Bill, recounted finding his son’s phone at the crime scene, expressing frustration that its fingerprints or DNA might not point to the actual robber.
His sister, Anna, expressed a deep sense of loss, stating, “I hope they find these animals and put them in cages for the rest of their lives.” She argued that the senseless act, over something as trivial as a phone, was incomprehensible.
Philadelphia police urge anyone with information regarding the suspects to reach out at 215-686-3334/3335. They are offering a reward of $20,000 for tips leading to an arrest and conviction.
