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Manhunt underway after college student fatally shot chasing robbers who allegedly stole his phone
By Adam Sabes
Published June 08, 2026
A manhunt is underway after a student at Pennsylvania State University was shot and killed on Saturday in a potential armed robbery attempt.
Billy Schmidt, 22, was blocks away from his home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Saturday at around 1:30 a.m. when he was shot and killed, according to the Philadelphia Police Department. When officers arrived, the college student was found on the street with a gunshot wound to his chest.
Police said Billy Schmidt was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead at 1:47 a.m.
Bill Schmidt, his father, told ABC7 that his son was coming back from a bar where he was watching the NBA Finals with his friends.
Billy Schmidt was shot and killed on Saturday. (Bill Schmidt)
Security video given to police shows Schmidt asking for his phone back before several shots were heard that killed the college student. It shows a man throwing a cellphone before another individual can be seen running around a corner being chased by Billy Schmidt, who was then shot in the chest.
Billy Schmidt was a senior at Pennsylvania State University, where he was set to graduate in December.
"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," Bill Schmidt said. "I'm shocked when they stole his phone that he chased them."
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Schmidt was a senior at Penn State, where he was set to graduate in December. (Provided by family/Fox29)
Police have not made an arrest in connection to the college student's killing. One neighbor urged anyone with information to help police.
"I want justice, I want the kid that shot Billy to be found," a 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."
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An individual is seen firing a gun in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Video provided)
Security video captured portions of the shooting. (Ezra Roulinavage)
Anna Schmidt, Billy Schmidt's sister, said in a GoFundMe the Penn State student "was a beloved brother, friend, and member of our community, and his loss has left us all in shock."
The family has raised more than $48,000 since Billy Schmidt was killed.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/manhunt-underway-college-student-fatally-shot-chasing-robbers-allegedly-stole-phone