(PHILADELPHIA) — A vigil and protest will be held in honor of a Penn State University student who was fatally shot about one block from his Philadelphia home.
William “Billy” Schmidt, 22, was shot in the chest at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday in an apparent robbery, according to Philadelphia police.
No arrests have been made, police said on Wednesday.
Billy Schmidt had been watching the NBA Finals game with his friends at a bar and was walking home when he was shot, his father, Bill Schmidt, told Philadelphia ABC station WPVI.
“He was a really good person who cared about everybody,” Bill Schmidt said. “… For him to get shot like that is a travesty.”
The vigil and protest, called “Justice for Billy,” will be held Thursday evening in Philadelphia.
“We are taking our streets back. … we won’t stop until our community is safe,” the flyer said.
The 22-year-old was studying digital journalism and media at Penn State World Campus, according to the university.
“We are heartbroken over the tragic death of William Schmidt, and we share our deepest condolences with his family and friends,” a Penn State spokesperson said in a statement.
ABC News’ Jessica Gorman contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
- Missouri governor declares state of emergency over flooding with more rain on the way - July 10, 2026
- Indiana trooper shot during pursuit of stolen car, suspect found dead after manhunt - July 10, 2026
- Long Island birth mother set to sue county, school district over death of 7-year-old daughter - July 10, 2026
