Police say the Philadelphia car theft case involving an off-duty officer’s vehicle now overlaps with a separate killing probe tied to a Penn State University student. Khadfi Fleming, 19, is wanted in connection with the theft of a green Dodge Charger in Philadelphia and is also a person of interest in the June death of Billy Schmidt, 22.
Schmidt was killed during what police described as an armed robbery attempt on June 6 at about 1:30 a.m. Officers found him with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:47 a.m. Investigators said he had been heading home after watching the NBA Finals with friends when he was robbed.
In the Philadelphia incident, officers in the area of 70th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard saw a red Lexus moving without headlights while a dark SUV followed behind it, according to police. Two males then ran toward the Lexus before shots were fired. Police said the suspects stole the off-duty officer’s green Dodge Charger, and the officer pursued them and confronted them before gunfire was heard.
Schmidt’s death has drawn attention because surveillance video appears to capture the moments before he was shot. In the footage, Schmidt can be heard saying, “Give me my phone” as he chased the suspects. Police said a phone was then seen thrown to the ground, followed seconds later by a gunshot.
The Penn State student was enrolled at Penn State World Campus and was studying journalism. He was expected to graduate in December. The case has now become part of a wider investigation that also includes the alleged car theft in Philadelphia, giving detectives a second major lead to work through.
