The black bicycle delivery man wanted for fatally stabbing a white real estate developer in a traffic dispute has surrendered to authorities, with his family members claiming the victim 'racially targeted' him.

Michael J. White, 20, surrendered peacefully to Philadelphia cops on Friday, less than 24 hours after 37-year-old Sean Schellenger was killed in the street near the swanky Rittenhouse Square area.

Police say Schellenger was stabbed in the back during a traffic dispute late Thursday, after exiting the Mercedes-Benz he was riding in as a passenger to argue with another driver, when a cyclist 'interjected himself' into the dispute.

White's family implied that the college student was acting in self-defense, with cousin Larry White telling ABC6: 'My cousin was spat on in his face and it was a difficult situation for my cousin to walk away from. He felt like he was being racially targeted by these individuals who wanted to start a fight.'

Sean Schellenger, 37, (left) was killed on Thursday night near Philly's swanky Rittenhouse Square. Michael White, 20, (right) turned himself in to police for the killing on Friday

The murder suspect hugs his tearful mother inside the church before surrendering

White walked outside of the church and was handcuffed without incident by waiting cops

White declined to speak to the waiting press as he was led by cops to a paddy wagon

White is a student at Morgan State University in Maryland, and described himself as 'a national slam poet' in a GoFundMe campaign he created in 2016 to ask people to fund his college expenses.

He surrendered at around 4pm on Friday after a brief press conference at True Gospel Tabernacle Family Church.

The murder suspect was seen hugging his tearful mother inside the church before he walked outside and was handcuffed by officers without incident. He declined to speak to the press as he was taken into custody.

'We're doing this because he deserves dignity and respect,' said Bishop Ernest McNear, who runs a program at the church to facilitate peaceful suspect surrenders.

Schellenger, who was well known in Philadelphia's political and civic circles, had been a walk-on quarterback in his college days at Penn State.

He was the CEO of Streamline Solutions, and also ran a non-profit, Helping Hands Philadelphia, which restores blighted properties and funds community programs.

'We want to improve the economic and educational circumstances for residents of neighborhoods that are experiencing gentrification,' he told Philadelphia Magazine for a profile last year.

White is a student at Morgan State University, and describes himself as 'a national slam poet'

Schellenger (right) is seen celebrating the Eagles' NFC Championship win in January. He played quarterback as a walk-on during college at Penn State

On Thursday night, Schellenger went out to dinner with a group of real estate friends at upscale restaurant Rouge in Rittenhouse Square,

Former TV meteorologist John Bolaris, who now works in real estate, was present at the dinner and gave Schellenger a friendly hug at 10.30pm, with no idea what was about to happen next, he said in a tweet.

Following dinner, Schellenger got in a Mercedes-Benz with one other passenger and the driver, said Capt. John Ryan of the Homicide Unit at a press conference reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Around 10.55pm, the car had just gotten around the corner from Rouge on narrow Chancellor Street when it became stuck behind a line of cars at the intersection with 17th Street, cops said.

The three occupants of the Mercedes all got out to urge the driver of a stopped vehicle to move along.

As the drivers remonstrated, a cyclist 'interjected himself' into the dispute, Ryan said.

The attack occurred as the Mercedes that Schellenger was riding in approached this intersection, but became stuck behind a stopped vehicle, sparking a dispute

Schellenger (seen left with friends) had just left a group dinner at Rouge in Rittenhouse Square when the stabbing occurred on the street around the corner

Schellenger exchanged words with the cyclist, who then pulled a large knife from his bag and stabbed the developer in the back, witnesses told cops.

The attacker fled on foot, leaving behind his bike and a bag used to deliver food, police said.

The real estate developer was rushed to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 11.21pm.

Police said that the other passenger in the Mercedes with Schellenger left the scene before police arrived, and investigators are still seeking him for questioning.

Upon his surrender on Friday, White's family described him as a hardworking college student who had no criminal history. Public records show Schellenger was found guilty of disorderly conduct in Chester County in 2009.

After his arrest, friends expressed their support for White on his Facebook page.

'Michael is a great kid who made a big mistake. I send my love to him,' wrote ‎Maria Pandolfi‎, who was White's art teacher in elementary school.

'Free my boi Michael J. White ima hold it down for you,' wrote one friend, using the name Sammy Sosa.

White (right) was only given a cheese sandwich and water at the jailhouse and told a family friend that he is very depressed and doesn't like the way he's being treated inside

After White was taken away in a paddy wagon for booking, family spokesman Greg Thompson told the Inquirer he was able to speak to the suspect over the phone in jail.

'He's extremely depressed. He's crying; he doesn't believe he's in jail,' Thompson said.

'He did exactly what he was told. He didn't say anything. He had to sleep on a table for 11 hours. They gave him a cheese sandwich and some water. He doesn't like the way he's bring treated.'

White was arraigned on a charge of murder on Saturday evening via video link in jail.

He said nothing in the court appearance except for 'yes ma'am' to acknowledge questions from the judge.

He is being held without bail and is next due in court on August 1.

A vigil in Schellenger's memory is planned for 8.30pm on Sunday at the Concert Garden, 21st and Ellsworth Streets.