The father of a Penn State student shot dead across the street from his home in Philadelphia after his phone was stolen is demanding justice.
Billy Schmidt, 22, was come back from watching the NBA finals with his friends at a local bar at around 1:30 a.m. Saturday when he was killed.
His father Bill Schmidt told NBC10 from the steps of the home he shared with his son that those responsible “need to pay”.
“I just want everyone to remember what a good person he was,” he said. “He touched all of us. He was my best friend.”
Surveillance footage shows Schmidt asking two men in dark clothing for his phone back during the fatal encounter.
His father said that when his son followed them to try and get it back, one of the men turned around and shot him. Schmidt was rushed to hospital and declared dead just 17 minutes later.
Schmidt’s uncle Stephen McKnight, shared the family’s anger in a Facebook post.
“We are devastated,” he wrote. “His whole life was in front of him. They killed him over a f****ing phone. I pray they find the kid that shot him right in front of his house. RIP Billy Schmidt.”
His sister Anna Schmidt has set up a GoFundMe appeal to raise money for those impacted by his sudden loss.
“Billy was a beloved brother, friend, and member of our community, and his loss has left us all in shock,” she wrote.
“In the midst of our grief, we are facing unexpected expenses that have added to the emotional burden of this difficult time.”
The appeal has so far raised over $63,000 of the $70,000 goal.
A senior digital communications and media major at Penn State, Schmidt aspired to work for the Philadelphia Eagles after graduation.
In a tribute, the university said: “We are heartbroken over the tragic death of William Schmidt and we share our deepest condolences with his family and friends.”
Police are continuing to search for the gunman with investigations ongoing. Cops have recovered Schmidt’s phone and a single shell casing from the scene.
Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Bill Fritze told CBS News that investigators “are working diligently and have been back out to the scene to survey and recover anything else at this time.”
The Philadelphia Police Department has been contacted for comment. Anyone with information is asked to get in touch with the homicide unit,
A protest vigil is due to be held in the city Thursday, calling for “Justice for Billy”.
A poster for the event shared online said: “We are taking our streets back. We won’t be silent. We won’t be divided. We won’t stop until our community is safe.”
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