A STUDENT was gunned down just steps from home while trying to stop thieves from stealing his phone.

Billy Schmidt, 22, was shot in the chest in the early hours of Saturday in South Philadelphia after what police believe was a robbery gone wrong.

Billy Schmidt, a 22-year-old Penn State student.
Billy Schmidt was fatally shot in South Philadelphia while trying to retrieve his stolen phoneCredit: NBC Philadelphia
 

A CCTV screenshot of two people walking on a sidewalk.
Surveillance footage being reviewed by cops shows Billy (L) pleading for his phone before a gunshot is heardCredit: NBC Philadelphia
The aspiring journalist was preparing to enter his senior year at Penn State and was due to graduate in December.

Billy had been walking home after watching the NBA Finals with friends when he was targeted.

Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators appears to show the moments before the fatal shooting.

In video captured near the scene, Billy can be heard pleading, “Give me back my phone.”

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Seconds later, a gunshot rings out.

Billy was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, but doctors could not save him.

His devastated father, Bill Schmidt, said the tragedy unfolded over a cellphone that was later discovered discarded beneath a parked car.

“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,” Schmidt told ABC 7.

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The grieving dad said he was stunned his son had chased after the thieves.

“I’m shocked when they stole his phone that he chased them,” he added.

“Supposedly when he got to the corner another came out and he shot him.”

According to family members, Billy had been returning from a local bar when he encountered the suspects near the 1900 block of Durfor Street at around 1.30am.

Police cars with flashing lights and crime scene tape mark off a residential street.
The twenty-two-year-old aspiring journalist was returning home after watching the NBA Finals with friends at a local bar, his family saidCredit: NBC Philadelphia
 

A black SUV with a flat rear tire, parked next to a fire hydrant decorated with a bouquet of white roses and a small religious picture.
Neighbours have since tied ribbons and flowers at the site where Billy was fatally shotCredit: NBC Philadelphia
Video obtained from nearby homes reportedly shows two young men interacting with Billy before he follows them into the street, according to ABC 7.

Another clip appears to show a cellphone being thrown away moments before the shooting, the outlet reports.

Neighbors have been left reeling by the killing.

“Over a phone. It’s abhorrent,” local resident Ezra Roulinavage told NBC 10.

“It’s just unbelievable that someone would kill someone over a phone.”

A growing memorial has appeared outside the family home, directly across from where Billy was shot.

Friends, relatives and neighbors have remembered him as a kind and caring young man with a bright future ahead.

Penn State paid tribute to the student in a statement.

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“We are heartbroken this morning to learn of the tragic death of William Schmidt, and we share are deepest condolences with his family and friends. William was a fourth semester student from Philadelphia studying digital journalism and media at Penn State World Campus,” the university said.

Police have not announced any arrests and the investigation remains ongoing.

SOURCE: THE SUN