Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
[UPDATE] Missing South Dakota College Student's Family Searches For Him At Occupy Wall Street
By
Bethany O'Grady
Published Nov 11, 2011
Modified Nov 11, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Bethany O'Grady
Published Nov 11, 2011
Modified Nov 11, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
[UPDATE BELOW] Fliers are circulating at Zuccotti Park today with the photo of 18-year-old Aaron Schmidt, a freshman at the University of South Dakota who was reported missing by classmates on Wednesday. He has not made contact with his family or friends since Tuesday, and his phone is shut off, but his family traced his student credit card to Omaha, Nebraska—where he bought a one-way bus ticket to Manhattan. Now his father and uncle have flown here from Wisconsin to search for the 18-year-old Political Science major, whom they believe is occupying Zuccotti Park.
Schmidt's uncle, Al Boelter, told us, "He left and didn't tell anybody. He's 18 years old, it's his first year in college. He left with $40. He has no money. He came with the clothes on his back. We put $500 on his credit card so if he checks his credit card he's got cash."
And while the family says Schmidt is emotionally stable, they are worried about him being on his own in New York City. Boelter explains to us, "He's intellectually smart, however, he's not street smart. He doesn't have a clue, he doesn't know what he's in for. He's from the Midwest; he's from Wanake, Wisconsin. Aaron's a very independent kid and strong minded and I don't have a problem with him coming here, I'm just worried. I'm not here to try and pull him away. If this is his belief, I'm gonna let him keep his belief. If I see him I would just tell him, 'Aaron, you need to call home.' He's just a boy."
Schmidt is believed to be wearing the same red and black Columbia ski jacket as is depicted in the photo the family is circulating, and is said to have a small build. If you see him, his family asks that you contact them at (920) 250-0117 or Alex Borders with OWS Press and Legal at (646) 479-5215.
Update: Smith's uncle Al tells us, "He's in midtown. We're going to meet him now. He's broke and has nowhere to go, and he finally replied to a text message. He can stay here, we just need to know he's okay." His uncle told us Schmidt was at Occupy Wall Street, but did not yet know what he was doing in midtown. "He's lost," says Boelter. "He's up in midtown somewhere. He doesn't have a clue."
Tagged
Zuccotti Park
aaron schmidt
missing persons
occupy wall street
Bethany O'Grady
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Manhattan DA argues judge shouldn't dismiss state charges against Luigi Mangione
He pleaded guilty to separate charges in federal court this summer.
By
Samantha Max
Published Oct 9, 2026 at 3:44 p.m. ET
Feds blame NYC's sanctuary policies for violent ICE arrest in Marble Hill
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE agents were unaware a child was in the vehicle they fired on during the arrest.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
Feds blame NYC's sanctuary policies for violent ICE arrest in Marble Hill
DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE agents were unaware a child was in the vehicle they fired on during the arrest.
By
Arya Sundaram
NYPD rushed man shot by ICE to hospital in police SUV, bodycam footage shows
By
Ben Feuerherd
Pencils down: NYC lawmakers want to switch back to paper tests as state mandates screens
By
Jessica Gould
Penn Station’s future could be determined by midterm elections
By
Stephen Nessen
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .