Honoring Billy Schmidt: A Hero Gone Too Soon

Our hearts are shattered. On Saturday, June 7, 2026, my beloved half-brother Billy Schmidt, a vibrant 22-year-old Penn State student preparing for his senior year, was tragically shot and killed in south Philadelphia while courageously trying to stop robbers from stealing his phone.

Billy was heading home after watching the NBA Finals with friends when he was held up just steps from his family’s home around 1:30 a.m. Surveillance footage captured the horrifying moment, Billy pleading, “Give me back my phone,” before a gunshot rang out. The robbers tossed his phone under a car and fled, leaving Billy fighting for his life. He was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries.

Billy was more than just a student… he was a genuinely good soul who cared deeply about everyone around him. As our father Bill shared, “He was a really good person who cared about everybody and never hurt or bothered a soul.” Neighbors who witnessed the aftermath described the senseless violence as “abhorrent,” saying it’s unbelievable that someone would kill over a phone.

This loss has devastated our entire family. Billy’s bright future, his kindness, and his unwavering spirit touched everyone who knew him. Now, we’re left to pick up the pieces and give him the farewell he deserves.

We are raising funds to cover funeral and memorial expenses & criminal justice assistance.. support the family during this unimaginable time, and help honor Billy’s memory in a way that reflects the love and light he brought into the world.

Any contribution, no matter how small, means more than you know. Please share this page with your friends and family to help us give Billy the sendoff he deserves and to stand against this kind of senseless violence.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, prayers, and support during this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace, Billy. You will never be forgotten.