William "Billy" Schmidt, 22, a Penn State World Campus student, was shot and killed around 1:30 a.m. near his Philadelphia home in what police say appears to be a robbery. No arrests have been announced.
A vigil and protest called "Justice for Billy" is planned for Thursday evening, with organizers urging action to make the neighborhood safer. Penn State expressed sorrow and offered condolences to Schmidt's family and friends.
William "Billy" Schmidt, 22, a student at Penn State World Campus, was fatally shot in the chest at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday roughly one block from his Philadelphia home, Philadelphia police said. Authorities say the shooting appears to have been a robbery; no arrests had been announced as of Wednesday.
Schmidt had been watching the NBA Finals with friends at a nearby bar and was walking home when he was attacked, his father, Bill Schmidt, told Philadelphia ABC station WPVI. "He was a really good person who cared about everybody," his father said. "For him to get shot like that is a travesty."
Event organizers describe the demonstration as a call for community safety: "We are taking our streets back... we won't stop until our community is safe."
The vigil and protest, titled "Justice for Billy," is scheduled for Thursday evening in Philadelphia and is intended to honor Schmidt's memory while pressuring authorities and local leaders to address violence in the neighborhood.
Penn State confirmed Schmidt was enrolled in its digital journalism and media program at Penn State World Campus and issued a statement saying, "We are heartbroken over the tragic death of William Schmidt, and we share our deepest condolences with his family and friends."
Philadelphia police continue to investigate the incident. Officials have not released additional details about suspects or a motive beyond the preliminary indication that the shooting was associated with a robbery. Anyone with information is asked to contact local law enforcement.
- Victim: William "Billy" Schmidt, 22, Penn State World Campus student studying digital journalism and media.
- Time and place: Shot in the chest at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday, roughly one block from his Philadelphia home.
- Circumstances: Appears to have been an attempted robbery; no arrests announced as of Wednesday.
- Community response: A vigil and protest titled "Justice for Billy" is planned Thursday evening; organizers say they will push for safer streets.
The article will be updated as authorities or the university release further information.
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