19-Year-Old Wanted in Penn State Student's Killing Named Person of Interest in Officer Shooting During Attempted Car Theft

Kadafi Fleming, 19, who is already wanted on robbery charges in the June 6 fatal shooting of Penn State student Billy Schmidt, has been identified by U.S. Marshals as a person of interest in a separate Aug. 10 incident in which an off‑duty officer’s car was targeted, authorities say.

Schmidt, 22, was shot shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, in the 1900 block of Durfor Street as he walked home after watching the NBA Finals with friends, local outlets reported (ABC7, NBC10, FOX29). Surveillance video obtained by those stations shows Schmidt confronting a man and saying, "Give me back my phone!" Moments later a second person turned and shot Schmidt in the chest.

"He was chasing the kid who took the phone. Another kid came around and shot him," the victim’s father told FOX29.

According to WPVI, U.S. Marshals now say Fleming is also a person of interest in an early‑morning Aug. 10 attempt to steal a parked Dodge Charger belonging to an off‑duty Philadelphia Police Department officer. The station reported the suspects forced entry into the vehicle just after 3 a.m., pushed it around the block and attempted to start it before the officer encountered them and fired several shots.

Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Clark told WPVI that Fleming and other suspects exchanged gunfire with the officer before fleeing. The suspects did not succeed in stealing the Charger and left the scene in a vehicle authorities believe was stolen.

In a post on X, the U.S. Marshals Service Philadelphia announced an immediate cash reward for information leading to Fleming’s arrest and described him as wanted for robbery and a person of interest in the aggravated assault of an off‑duty PPD officer on Aug. 10 in the 2900 block of S. 70th. Tips were directed to 1‑866‑865‑TIPS (8477).

Clark said Fleming has a "significant criminal history" that includes firearms possession, resisting arrest and possession of a stolen vehicle. "Anyone who shoots at police on or off‑duty we consider an immediate and deadly threat," Clark told WPVI.

Authorities also reported that Fleming’s 16‑year‑old brother, Azzubair Outen‑Fleming, was captured by U.S. Marshals in Colorado and faces murder charges in connection with Schmidt’s death (CBS News). Another teen wanted in the case, 16‑year‑old Kaiseem Smith, has since been taken into custody.

Penn State confirmed to PEOPLE that Schmidt was a 22‑year‑old fourth‑semester student studying digital journalism and media communications from Philadelphia. The U.S. Marshals Service did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

How to help: Anyone with information is urged to contact the Philadelphia Police Department at 215‑686‑TIPS (8477) or submit an anonymous tip online. The U.S. Marshals Service is also accepting tips at 1‑866‑865‑TIPS.