The family of a Penn State student who was killed during an apparent attempted robbery of his phone broke down are demanding answers as he devastated sister talked about how the tragedy has impacted her family.

Billy Schmidt, 22, was fatally shot in the chest around 1.30am on Saturday as he was walking home in southern Philadelphia after watching the NBA Finals. He would have graduated from college in December with a degree in digital journalism and media.

The vicious crime took place just across the street from his family’s house. Disturbing footage taken by neighbors’ surveillance cameras captured the shooting and the moments leading up to it.

Billy’s sister, Anna Schmidt, said she was in disbelief that her brother was killed and questioned ‘how someone could do this?’

During a televised interview with Fox News, Anna struggled to get those words out as she spoke through tears. Her father, Bill Schmidt, stood at her side with his arm around her shoulder, looking at the ground with a pained expression.

‘I miss him so much,’ Billy’s sister said. ‘I don’t understand how someone could do this to me and my family, and I think he’s just gonna walk in the door.’

In the surveillance footage of the shooting, which was captured by multiple cameras from different angles, two young men in dark clothing with their hoods up can be seen talking to Billy, who could be heard saying: ‘Give me back my phone.’

The student then followed the pair down the block and around a corner. One of the men threw the phone just before Billy caught up, and the other raised a handgun and fired a single shot at the 22-year-old.

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Billy Schmidt, 22, was fatally shot during an apparent attempted robbery of his phone in Philadelphia in the early hours of Saturday. He is pictured with his sister, Anna Schmidt

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During an interview with Fox News, Anna spoke through tears about the devastating impact Billy’s death has had on her and her family. Their father, Bill Schmidt, held her as she spoke

He was quickly rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead just 17 minutes after the shooting.

Police have not announced any arrests or released information about possible suspects as of Monday night.

Although the surveillance footage captured key moments of the crime, it is difficult to make out any faces or distinct features of the perpetrators.

Schmidt’s father told 6abc Philadelphia, ‘I want to find the two people and make them pay.’

He found his son’s phone under a car on the street and gave it to police, who have said that the device could be a key piece of evidence in solving the case.

Police and prosecutors are hoping to be able to lift DNA evidence from the phone that will lead them to Billy’s killers.

Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Bill Fritze told CBS News that detectives ‘are working diligently and have been back out to the scene to survey and recover anything else at this time.’

Police have recovered a spent bullet casing that was at the scene of the shooting, and they have been trying to acquire additional surveillance footage, likely with the goal of finding an angle where the suspects’ faces are more clearly visible.

Surveillance footage captured the moment Billy was fatally shot once in the chest. Police have not made any arrests or released information about possible suspects as of Monday night

Although surveillance footage captured key moments of the crime, it is difficult to make out any faces or distinct features of the perpetrators in the videos

As investigators worked on the case, officers with Philadelphia’s First District visited the family’s home on Sunday to offer their condolences.

Penn State released a statement addressing Billy’s death that said: ‘We are heartbroken this morning to learn of the tragic death of William Schmidt, and we share our 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. Penn State Student Affairs is reaching out to William’s family to provide support.’

Roman Catholic High School, which Billy graduated from in 2021, also released a statement grieving the loss of its former student.

‘Today, we remember and honor the life of Billy Schmidt, a beloved member of the Roman class of 2021, whose kindness, character, and spirit left a lasting impression on all who knew him,’ the statement began.

‘We join his family, friends, classmates, and loved ones in mourning this heartbreaking loss and pray that Billy may rest in eternal peace. He will always remain in our hearts and in the brotherhood of Roman Catholic High School.

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Billy was a Penn State student who would have graduated in December with a degree in digital journalism and media. He is pictured with his sister and their father

‘Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen,’ the statement concluded.

Bill, the slain student’s father, described his son as ‘a really good person who cared about everybody and never hurt or bothered a soul, never bothered anyone.’

‘For him to get shot like that is a travesty,’ the father added.

In a GoFundMe for the Schmidt family, Billy’s sister, Anna, remembered him as ‘a beloved brother, friend, and member of our community.’

SOURCE: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15884573/Billy-Schmidt-Penn-State-Student-Philadelphia-killed-phone-robbery-sister-tears.html