Billy Schmidt, 22, was shot near his South Philadelphia home after police say a robbery turned deadly.
PHILADELPHIA, PA — Philadelphia police released surveillance images and video Wednesday of two suspects wanted in the killing of Billy Schmidt, a 22-year-old Penn State student shot early Saturday in South Philadelphia after an apparent robbery.
Investigators said the video shows the suspects before and after the shooting that killed Schmidt in the 1900 block of Durfor Street, a short distance from his family’s home. Police have not announced any arrests. The release of the images marked a new stage in the homicide investigation, giving detectives clearer details to share as they search for two people seen walking through nearby streets before the gunfire.
Police said Schmidt was shot at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, June 6. Officers found him lying in the road with a gunshot wound to his chest, and he was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where police said he was pronounced dead at 1:47 a.m. Family members said Schmidt had been walking home after watching the NBA Finals with friends at a nearby bar. Bill Schmidt, his father, said his son was close to home when the encounter began. “He was a really good person who cared about everybody and never hurt or bothered a soul,” Bill Schmidt said.
The surveillance video released by police shows the suspects walking in the area of 20th Street from Ritner Street to Jackson Street before they encountered Schmidt, investigators said. Police said the suspects were later seen fleeing on foot near 22nd and Porter streets after the shots were fired. Other video from nearby cameras appears to show a man throwing a cellphone before another man runs around a corner with Schmidt chasing behind him. Police said the gunman then turned and shot Schmidt in the chest. Bill Schmidt said he later found his son’s phone under a car and turned it over to police.
Police described one suspect as about 5 feet 8 inches tall with braided hair. He was wearing a gray “KONFUSED” brand hoodie with skulls and crossbones, each with a jeweled halo above it, and a black mask, according to investigators. Police said the second suspect, believed to be the shooter, is between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 5 inches tall. He was wearing all black and a camouflage face mask. After the shooting, police said, the suspects got rid of their masks and hoodies and were seen wearing white T-shirts.
Schmidt was a senior at Penn State and was expected to graduate in December. The university said he was studying digital journalism and media through Penn State World Campus. In a statement, Penn State said it was “heartbroken” by Schmidt’s death and shared condolences with his family and friends. Student Affairs staff were reaching out to the family, the university said. Neighbors and friends described Schmidt as a quiet, kind young man who grew up in the South Philadelphia neighborhood where he was killed.
The shooting drew grief and anger from neighbors who said the killing appeared to grow from the theft of a phone. A nearby porch camera captured Schmidt saying, “Give me back my phone,” before the gunshot, according to reports from the scene. Neighbor Ezra Roulinavage called the killing “abhorrent” and said it was hard to understand that someone would be shot over a phone. Friends gathered Wednesday evening at a memorial in South Philadelphia. Jaden Kelly, a lifelong friend, said the group had grown up leaning on one another and would keep doing that after Schmidt’s death.
The case remains with Philadelphia homicide detectives. No charges had been announced as of Thursday, and police had not released the suspects’ names. The City of Philadelphia is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Detectives are asking for information about the suspects, their route before and after the shooting, and any video from homes or businesses near Durfor, Ritner, Jackson, Porter and nearby blocks. The investigation also includes the cellphone Schmidt’s father said he recovered after the shooting.
Funeral arrangements have been announced. A viewing is scheduled for Monday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Baldi Funeral Home on South Broad Street. A funeral Mass is scheduled for Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St. Monica Roman Catholic Church on 17th Street, with burial at Locustwood Cemetery in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Friends also planned a vigil for Thursday night in South Philadelphia, where a memorial had grown near the area where Schmidt was shot.
As of Thursday, June 11, police were still searching for the two suspects shown in the surveillance images. The next public milestone is the Thursday night vigil, followed by funeral services scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
Author note: Last updated June 11, 2026.