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Vigil, protest to be held for Penn State student shot dead near his home in Philadelphia

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An undated photo of Billy Schmidt, 22, who was killed June 6, 2026. (Bill Schmidt)

(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, according to Philadelphia police.

Authorities have not announced any arrests or any motive.

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.