A South Philadelphia neighborhood remains on edge as federal marshals search for a 19-year-old suspect linked to both the tragic murder of a Penn State student and a recent shootout with an off-duty police officer. The manhunt highlights ongoing concerns over violent crime and car thefts in the city, bringing a tragic summer story back into the spotlight.
WHAT HAPPENED
Federal and local authorities are searching for 19-year-old Khadfi Fleming, who has been linked to two major crimes in Philadelphia.
The most recent incident occurred early Monday morning around 3:15 a.m. in South Philadelphia. Thieves targeted a green Dodge Charger belonging to an off-duty Philadelphia police officer. The officer tracked down the suspects a few blocks away, leading to a confrontation and an exchange of gunfire before the suspects fled. Police identified Fleming as a suspect in the vehicle theft and the subsequent shootout.
Following this confrontation, investigators connected Fleming to the June 6, 2026, murder of 22-year-old Penn State student Billy Schmidt. Schmidt, a journalism major set to graduate in December, was walking home from an NBA Finals watch party when he was robbed of his cell phone and fatally shot in South Philadelphia.
Authorities had already arrested two 16-year-old suspects in connection with Schmidt's death, including Fleming's younger brother, Azzubair Outen-Fleming, who was captured in Colorado, and Kaiseem Smith, who surrendered to police. However, U.S. Marshals have now issued a robbery warrant for Khadfi Fleming, accusing him of stealing the vehicle used by the teenagers during the fatal robbery of Schmidt.
Key details of the investigation include:
- The Suspect: Khadfi Fleming, 19, is described as 5-feet-7-inches tall, weighing approximately 130 pounds, with black hair worn in chin-length braids or twists.
- The Murder Victim: Billy Schmidt, 22, was a senior at Penn State World Campus who was killed just steps from his South Philadelphia home.
- The Shootout: An off-duty Philadelphia police officer exchanged gunfire with car thieves early Monday morning after his Dodge Charger was stolen.
- The Connection: Fleming is the older brother of one of the teenagers already charged in Schmidt's murder and is accused of providing the vehicle used in that crime.
- The Reward: U.S. Marshals are offering a cash reward for information leading to Fleming's capture.
WHY IT MATTERS
The connection between a college student's tragic death and a shootout with an off-duty police officer underscores the compounding nature of violent crime in Philadelphia. For the family of Billy Schmidt, the development reopens wounds from a devastating summer loss. It also highlights the dangerous reality faced by off-duty law enforcement officers who find themselves targets of vehicle thefts and armed confrontations in their own neighborhoods.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The U.S. Marshals Service and the Philadelphia Police Department are actively pursuing leads to locate Khadfi Fleming, whom they describe as a very dangerous individual. Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Fleming's whereabouts to contact the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-866-865-8477 or the Philadelphia Police Department. A cash reward remains available for information that leads directly to his arrest.
WHAT WE STILL DON'T KNOW
- Was anyone injured during the Monday morning shootout between the off-duty officer and the car thieves?
- Where is Khadfi Fleming currently hiding, and does he have assistance from others while on the run?
- What specific evidence led investigators to link the vehicle stolen in June to Khadfi Fleming?
SOURCE NOTE
This story draws on reporting from Fox News.