Penn State senior fatally shot during robbery attempt in South Philadelphia

Billy Schmidt, a 22-year-old Penn State senior, was shot and killed early Saturday during an apparent robbery attempt yards from his family's South Philadelphia home, police said.

The killing unfolded as Schmidt returned from watching the NBA Finals at a nearby bar, and was captured on surveillance cameras from multiple neighboring properties. Two suspects remained at large as Philadelphia homicide detectives reviewed the footage.

Schmidt was shot in the chest around 1:30 a.m. on the 1900 block of Durfor Street, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Surveillance footage shows a man taking Schmidt's phone and fleeing; Schmidt gave chase, and when he reached a nearby corner, a second suspect emerged and opened fire.

Bill Schmidt, the victim's father, said he found his son's phone beneath a parked car and turned it over to detectives. "I'm shocked when they stole his phone that he chased them," Bill Schmidt said, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. "The kid he is very lowkey supposedly when he got to the corner another came out and he shot him."

The elder Schmidt described his son as someone who would not have provoked a conflict. "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," he said. He added: "I want to find the two people and make them pay."

South Philadelphia resident Michael Smith said the tragedy prompted a show of community solidarity. "The neighbors we come together it's really important it's sad we have to come together over a death," Smith told ABC7 Los Angeles.

Philadelphia police had not announced any arrests as of Saturday. Investigators are reviewing multiple surveillance recordings obtained from neighboring homes, the station reported.

Police are asking anyone with information about the two suspects to contact Philadelphia homicide detectives. The shooting occurred within yards of the home where Schmidt grew up, ABC7 Los Angeles reported.