22-year-old student shot to death after chasing phone robbers in Philadelphia; father says: ‘I’m shocked he chased them’

A 22-year-old Penn State student was fatally shot in Philadelphia after trying to stop a robber who stole his cell phone, leaving family, friends and neighbors shocked by the senseless violence.Billy Schmidt was killed early Saturday morning just steps from his home in South Philadelphia. Surveillance video reviewed by investigators showed Schmidt confronting the suspect around 1.30am and gunfire was heard shortly after.According to the New York Post, Schmidt begged to “give my phone back” shortly before he was shot.Emergency crews rushed him to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.The murder shocked nearby residents, many of whom struggled to understand how a phone dispute could turn into tragedy.“By phone. It’s abhorrent. It’s unbelievable that someone would kill someone over the phone,” local resident Ezra Roulinavage told NBC 10.Schmidt’s father, Bill Schmidt, said his son was returning home from watching the NBA Finals with friends when the robbery occurred. The stolen phone was later found dumped under a nearby car.The grieving father told ABC 7: “He was a really nice guy, cared about everyone, never hurt or bothered anyone, never bothered anyone, and it’s a travesty that he was shot dead like this.”Bill Schmidt said he was surprised his son chose to pursue the suspect after the theft.“I was shocked that he chased them when they stole his phone,” the grieving father added. “It is said that when he reached the corner, another man came out and shot him.”Police have not announced any arrests and the investigation is ongoing.Schmidt’s family and neighbors remember him as a kind, hard-working young man with a bright future. He is studying digital journalism and media at Penn State World Campus and expects to graduate in December.Penn State expressed its condolences over the student’s death in a statement.“We were heartbroken to learn this morning of the tragic passing of William Schmidt, a fourth-semester student from Philadelphia studying digital journalism and media at Penn State World Campus, and our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” the university said.