UMVA has learned that a shocking tragedy has unfolded at Pennsylvania State University, where a 22-year-old student was gunned down in a brazen attack that may have been an attempted armed robbery.
Billy Schmidt, a senior at the university, was just blocks away from his home in Philadelphia when he was shot and killed on Saturday at around 1:30 a.m. The Philadelphia Police Department has launched a manhunt for the suspect, but so far, no arrests have been made.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Schmidt was found on the street with a gunshot wound to his chest, and despite being rushed to a local hospital, he was pronounced dead at 1:47 a.m. The police have revealed that security footage shows Schmidt being chased by a suspect before being shot.
The footage also shows Schmidt asking for his phone back before the shots were fired, and a man throwing a cellphone before running around a corner, with Schmidt in pursuit. The police have not released any details about the suspect, but a neighbor has urged anyone with information to come forward.
"I want justice, I want the kid that shot Billy to be found," the neighbor said. "If anyone's out there that recognizes anything... they seem young to me. If anyone has any information or recognizes anything about the kids, I would love for them to come forward."
Billy Schmidt's family is still reeling from the shock of his death, and his father, Bill Schmidt, has spoken out about his son's tragic fate. "He was a really good person who cared about everybody and never hurt or bothered a soul, never bothered anyone and for him to get shot like that is a travesty," he said.
The family has set up a GoFundMe page, which has raised over $48,000 since Billy Schmidt's death. His sister, Anna Schmidt, described him as a "beloved brother, friend, and member of our community" and said that his loss has left them all in shock.
As the investigation continues, the police are urging anyone with information to come forward and help bring the perpetrator to justice. The community is still grappling with the aftermath of this senseless tragedy, and the search for justice continues.
