Philadelphia police on Tuesday identified two teenagers suspected of murdering a Penn State student near his home in the city earlier this month.
Kaiseem Smith and Azzubair Outen-Fleming, both 16, are wanted for murder and related offenses in the fatal shooting of 22-year-old William “Billy” Schmidt, Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore wrote on social media.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to call the Philadelphia Police Department tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
Schmidt, a Penn State World Campus senior studying digital journalism and media, was shot in an apparent robbery at about 1:30 a.m. on June 6 on the 1900 block of Durfor Street in South Philadelphia. He was just steps away from his family’s home as he returned from watching an NBA Finals game with friends at a bar.
He was found lying in the road with a gunshot wound to the chest and was taken to a hospital where he died.
According to police and media reports, surveillance video showed the suspects encountering Schmidt. Schmidt was later then seen chasing after them into the street and yelling for them to give back his phone before one turned and shot him.
A 2021 graduate of Philadelphia’s Roman Catholic High School and a loyal fan of the city’s sports teams, Schmidt was on track to graduate from Penn State in December.
“Billy embraced life with enthusiasm and a genuine love for the people around him,” his obituary states. “Those who knew Billy will remember him for his kind heart, thoughtful nature, and unwavering loyalty. He was the type of person who would always make time for family and friends, offering encouragement, laughter, and companionship wherever he went. His warm personality and genuine concern for others left a lasting impression on everyone, fortunate enough to know him.”
A GoFundMe campaign to assist Schmidt’s family has raised nearly $85,000.
