Son says father was killed over nickels, quarters

The burglary happened at Packaging Unlimited on West Kentucky Street.

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - A man went to work only to be brutally assaulted when he walked in on a burglary. The victim died over the weekend and now his family and police need your help solving this case.

According to the coroner's office, Philip Schulz, 63, of Jeffersonville was pronounced dead Saturday just before 9 p.m. at University of Louisville Hospital where he was receiving treatment after the Friday morning burglary at Packaging Unlimited on West Kentucky Street.

His son, John Schulz, said he has a lot of questions and doesn't understand why anyone would hurt his father.

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John Schulz said his father lived in Jeffersonville and had worked at Packaging Unlimited in Louisville for several years. His father worked the early shift to get the place up and running.

He believes whoever killed his father was after vending machine money.

"The place makes boxes," said John Schulz. "My dad lost his life over nickels, quarters and a couple dollar bills."

"From what I gathered it happened in the break room so, I'm assuming vending machines " said John Schulz.

Police said Schulz was beaten with a hard object. He was taken to University of Louisville Hospital and died Saturday from serious head and neck injuries.

John said Packaging Unlimited's surveillance cameras were not working. The cameras at V.G. Reed & Sons across the street were. The plant manager there said they turned over their surveillance to police to help with the investigation.

"That was somebody's father, somebody's grandfather and he goes to work to try to provide for his family and this what he gets. It's terrible," said Llhih Barnes, with V.G. Reed & Sons.

John Schulz said his dad was a huge Louisville Cardinals fans and loved playing the drums. He also said his father was the type of guy who would have given money to someone if they asked for it.

"It's a senseless crime," said John Schulz. "It didn't have to happen. You don't want to see anyone lose their life but, this is just beyond stupid. I just want to reach out the public if anyone knows anything anyone seen things out of the ordinary just give police a call."

Anyone with information is asked to call the anonymous police tip line at (502) 574-LMPD.

WAVE 3 did reach out to Packaging Unlimited and they declined to comment.