A college student was almost home. Police say two 16-year-olds killed him for his phone.
Philadelphia police are looking for two teenagers accused of shooting 22-year-old Billy Schmidt after a robbery in South Philadelphia.
Walking home after a night out with friends should be safe. But a young man lost his life just steps from his front door over a cell phone.
What Happened
Billy Schmidt, a 22-year-old student at Penn State, was walking home in South Philadelphia around 1:30 a.m. on June 6. He had just watched the NBA Finals at a local bar.
Two masked teenagers stopped him and took his phone. Schmidt followed them, asking for his phone back. One teen threw the phone under a car, and the other shot Schmidt. He died at the hospital 17 minutes later.
Police now have arrest warrants for Kaiseem Smith and Azzubair Outen-Fleming, both 16. Police are still looking for them and say they are armed and dangerous.
Fact Box
- 22: The age of the victim, Billy Schmidt.
- 16: The age of the two suspects wanted by police.
- $20,000: The reward offered for tips leading to their arrest.
- 17: The number of minutes before Schmidt was pronounced dead at the hospital.
- 1:30 a.m.: The approximate time of the shooting on June 6.
Why It Matters
This tragedy shows the random violence that worries many city residents. Parents are left grieving, and neighbors are shocked that a young life was taken for a piece of technology.
It also raises concerns about young teenagers having access to guns. A family is now broken because a simple walk home turned deadly.
What Happens Next
Police are searching for the two teens. They are offering a $20,000 reward to anyone who can help find them.
Schmidt's family is trying to cope with their loss. His sister has set up a fundraiser to support the family.
What We Still Don't Know
- Who fired the gun that killed Billy Schmidt?
- Where are the two teenagers hiding now?
- How did the teenage suspects get the handgun used in the shooting?
Transparency notes
Published: Jul 1, 2026. No major post-publication update has been logged.
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Sources
External source links were not provided in this article body. Our editors reference publicly available materials and update stories as new verified information arrives.
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Will A college student was almost home. Police say two 16-year-olds killed him for his phone.?
Philadelphia police are searching for two 16-year-olds wanted for the murder of Penn State student Billy Schmidt, who was shot and killed for his phone.
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