Father confronts parents accused of helping teen flee after Penn State student's murder
The stepfather and mother of teen suspect Azzubair Outen-Fleming appeared in court, accused of helping him escape to Colorado after the June shooting death of Billy Schmidt.
Schmidt family faces suspects' parents in Philadelphia courtroom
The mother and stepfather of a teenage murder suspect appeared before a Philadelphia court on Thursday, September 17, accused of helping the teen flee to Colorado following the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Penn State student William "Billy" Schmidt, nbcphiladelphia.com reports.
Schmidt's father, William Schmidt Sr., was present in the courtroom and spoke briefly to reporters afterwards. "Everything is moving forward right now," he said, visibly emotional. "It's just the first start though."
Robbery and shooting near South Philadelphia home
In the early hours of June 6, at around 1:30 a.m., Billy Schmidt was steps from his front door near 20th and Durfor Streets in South Philadelphia when two teenagers confronted him and stole his cellphone, according to investigators. Surveillance footage from a neighbour's porch camera captured the encounter. The teens — identified as 16-year-old Azzubair Outen-Fleming and 16-year-old Kaiseem Smith — were seen speaking with Schmidt before he followed them into the street. The video records Schmidt saying, "Give me back my phone," seconds before a gunshot is heard. Schmidt was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Escape to Colorado
On June 10, four days after the killing, Philadelphia police released surveillance footage of the shooting publicly. According to prosecutors, that release prompted Outen-Fleming's mother, 45-year-old Milika Abdulmalik, and his stepfather, 35-year-old Donte Abdulmalik, to arrange an escape. Milika Abdulmalik allegedly made two phone calls and sent a text message to a contact in Colorado Springs. Within two hours, the mother, stepfather, and teen drove to family members in that city.
Both Milika and Donte Abdulmalik were arrested in Philadelphia on June 30. Outen-Fleming was subsequently apprehended by U.S. Marshals in Colorado on July 1. Kaiseem Smith surrendered to Philadelphia police a day later on July 2. Outen-Fleming's 19-year-old brother was also arrested and charged with having dropped the two teens off in a stolen car prior to the shooting.
Defence disputes key evidence
At the September 17 hearing, Outen-Fleming, his brother, and Smith all waived their right to preliminary hearings. Milika and Donte Abdulmalik, however, appeared in court as the evidence against them was presented.
Donte Abdulmalik's defence attorney challenged the prosecution's case. "They can't put him in the car," the attorney said. "They don't know who the car is registered to." Milika Abdulmalik's attorney offered a comparable rebuttal: "What we have is two phones went to Colorado and came back. People travel with other people's phones."
William Schmidt Sr. said it was difficult to be in the same courtroom as Milika and Donte Abdulmalik, but drew comfort from having family members present with him.
Next court date set for October 2026
All five suspects are scheduled to return to court on October 8, 2026. Kaiseem Smith and Azzubair Outen-Fleming each face charges of murder, robbery, and related offences. Milika and Donte Abdulmalik are charged with hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice, and tampering with evidence.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)