Students at North Penn High School walked the halls

Thursday with more than final exams on their minds. 

The loss of a fellow student weighed heavy on their hearts.

Stephen Schmitz, a 17-year –old junior, was shot to

death Wednesday afternoon by his father, a Hatfield Police Lieutenant .

Students and faculty members characterized Schmitz as a

caring and creative student.  Counselors were at the school

to offer comfort to students who needed to talk  about his passing.

Schmitz was killed Wednesday afternoon by

His father Eric, in what the Montgomery County District

Attorney’s Office is calling an act of self defense.  According

To reports,  Towamencin Police were called to the house on

April 30th and May 26th after Stephen allegedly threatened to

harm himself.  Students also met at Central Schwenkfelder

Church in Worcester on Thursday to remember

Stephen Schmitz.