On July 6, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office issued a statement regarding the arrests of Kaiseem Smith and Azzubair Outen-Fleming, the two suspected murderers of a 22-year-old Penn State student in South Philadelphia.
“On Thursday, a Philadelphia Police Officer assigned to the DAO’s Gun Violence Task Force coordinated the safe surrender of Defendant Kaiseem Smith (DOB 12/27/2009) for his alleged role in the robbery and homicide of William (Billy) J. Schmidt,” the statement read.
“The surrender as well as the apprehension of a fugitive co-defendant in Colorado Springs occurred within a day of the DAO’s press conference seeking public help in apprehending both defendants. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office will seek justice for the family of William (Billy) J. Schmidt and all others involved.”
The DAO also stated that the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Smith and Outen-Fleming are suspected of murdering Billy Schmidt after robbing him of his cell phone. The murder has outraged South Philadelphia residents and beyond due to the senseless violence that took the life of a promising and popular young man in a relatively safe neighborhood in South Philly. A well-attended vigil was held where Billy Schmidt lived and died, and Facebook and other social media have been inundated with critical comments about street crime and injustice.
In a news conference prior to the arrests of the suspects, District Attorney Larry Krasner said Smith and Outen-Fleming, both 16, are expected to be charged with murder, gun offenses and other charges, and they will probably be tried as adults.
Krasner also noted that another man, Donte Abdulmalik, 35, is Outen-Fleming’s stepfather, and he is in custody and charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence in connection with this case. Abdulmalik helped Outen-Fleming leave the area, according to the DA’s office. He was also wanted for violating either parole or probation, Krasner added.
Krasner also stated that the investigation so far indicates that Smith was the shooter.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, on Saturday, June 6, after 1 a.m., Philadelphia police officers responded to a call to the 1900 block of Durfor St. regarding a person with a gun. When the officers arrived at the scene, they located victim Billy Schmidt with a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. Schmidt was transferred to Penn-Presbyterian Medical Center where he was pronounced.
A DA’s office release stated, “During the course of the investigation, video surveillance footage from numerous sources depicted Defendants Kaiseem Smith and Azzubair Outen-Fleming driving in South Philadelphia around Porter and 21st street before parking around 1 a.m. The defendants are seen leaving the vehicle and walking towards Jackson Street. Around 1:30 a.m., surveillance footage shows Schmidt walking on the sidewalk on 20th Street and standing on the corner. The defendants walk towards Schmidt before Azzubair Outen-Fleming appears to grab Schmidt’s phone and then punches him. Outen-Fleming then proceeds to go through Schmidt’s pockets. Both suspects appear to force Schmidt onto the sidewalk and knock him onto the ground. As both defendants walk away, Kaiseem Smith is observed with a gun is his hand.”
The DAO stated that video surveillance shows Schmidt walking behind the defendants. Outen-Fleming is observed throwing Schmidt’s phone down the block, then runs in that direction. Shortly after, surveillance footage shows Smith rounding the corner of 20th and Durfor streets. Schmidt is seen running behind Smith when Smith reaches into his back pocket, pulls out a gun and fires a fatal shot into Schmidt’s chest. Footage shows the defendants walking away from the scene before entering an SUV and driving east on Porter Street.
Investigators identified Smith and Outen-Fleming as suspects in the homicide and determined that Abdulmalik assisted in the transportation of Outen-Fleming out of the jurisdiction.
“Our office has been collaborating closely with the Philadelphia Police Department on the investigation since this murder took place,” Krasner said.
The violence that took Billy Schmidt’s life cannot be undone, but perhaps justice for his murder will be done. ••
Paul Davis’s Crime Beat column appears here weekly. He can be reached via pauldavisoncrime.com.
