Full Breakdown
Fatal Shooting of Penn State Student Billy Schmidt in South Philadelphia
7/2/2026, 6:47:19 AM
Core Event
On the early morning of June 6, 2026, 22-year-old William “Billy” Schmidt, a senior studying digital journalism at Penn State World Campus, was shot and killed near his home on the 1900 block of Durfor Street in South Philadelphia, around 1:30 a.m. Surveillance footage shows Schmidt confronting two youths, demanding the return of his cellphone, after which a gunshot was heard and he was pronounced dead at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
Timeline of Investigation
- June 6 – Schmidt is shot; police release neighbor-camera video.
- June 30 – Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore announces arrest warrants for 16-year-olds Kaiseem Smith and Azzubair Outen-Fleming.
- July 1 – U.S. Marshals arrest Outen-Fleming in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at a relative’s home; he is held at Zebulon Pike Youth Center pending extradition.
- July 1-2 – District Attorney Larry Krasner confirms Smith as the alleged shooter, outlines pending charges, and announces the arrest of stepfather Donte Abdulmalik on obstruction-related offenses.
Key Figures and Charges
- Kaiseem Smith (16, Wilmington, Delaware resident; 4 ft 10 in, ~110 lb) – alleged shooter; charged with murder, criminal conspiracy, robbery, illegal firearm possession; remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.
- Azzubair Outen-Fleming (16; 5 ft 6 in, ~145 lb) – alleged accomplice; arrested; faces identical charges and will be tried as an adult.
- Donte Abdulmalik (35) – stepfather of Outen-Fleming; charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence, and a probation violation.
- Larry Krasner – Philadelphia District Attorney, overseeing prosecution.
- Frank Vanore – Deputy Commissioner of Investigations, Philadelphia Police Department.
- Robert Clark – Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal, U.S. Marshals Service.
Rewards and Law-Enforcement Efforts
The U.S. Marshals Service offers $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of each teen, while the Philadelphia Police Department provides a $20,000 reward for information resulting in arrest and conviction, bringing total potential rewards to $30,000. Marshals have deployed a Fugitive Task Force and continue to solicit tips via 1-866-865-8477 (USMS) and 215-686-TIPS (PPD).
Official Statements & Responses
District Attorney Krasner indicated that evidence points to Smith as the shooter and emphasized that the investigation remains part of a larger picture. Deputy Commissioner Vanore confirmed the arrest of Outen-Fleming and described the suspects as armed and dangerous. Penn State released a statement expressing condolences to Schmidt’s family. Bill Schmidt, the victim’s father, voiced a desire for swift justice and said no compensation could replace his loss.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Surrender now. If you choose to remain fugitives, the Marshals Service will relentlessly pursue every lead, every associate, and every tip until you are located and taken into custody,” — Robert Clark, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal
- “The information that we have seems to indicate Kaiseem Smith is the shooter in this case,” — Larry Krasner, District Attorney
- “I mean, I want them off the street before they do it to somebody else,” — Bill Schmidt, father
- “We are heartbroken over the tragic death of William Schmidt, and we share our deepest condolences with his family and friends,” — Penn State University statement
- “I am not telling you that these are the only people involved,” — Larry Krasner, District Attorney
On-the-Ground Reports
A vigil on June 11 drew hundreds of community members to the intersection of 20th and Durfor Streets, where attendees remembered Schmidt as a “beloved brother, friend, and community member.” A GoFundMe campaign created by Schmidt’s sister raised over $84,000 for the family.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the precise intersection of the shooting (Durfor Street vs. 20th & Wolf vs. 20th & Durfor). The stepfather’s name appears as Donte Abdulmalik, Dante Abdul Malik, and Donte Abdul Malik across reports. Physical descriptions of the suspects vary slightly in height and attire. No public confirmation exists regarding recovery of the firearm used.
Why It Matters
The case highlights concerns about youth-involved violent crime in Philadelphia, the use of adult charges for minors, and the coordination between local and federal law-enforcement agencies. It also underscores the impact on the Penn State community and raises questions about broader patterns of robbery-related shootings in the city.
