Bohemia Father Shot Dead After Men Went To Wrong House; 2 Sentenced: DA

BOHEMIA, NY — Two Suffolk County men were sentenced Thursday to decades-to-life in prison for the fatal shooting of a Bohemia father and homeowner after prosecutors said they mistakenly targeted his house while searching for a stolen cellphone.

Christopher Fernandez, 29, of Sound Beach, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after a jury convicted him of second-degree murder and several related charges in the 2022 killing of Michael Hartmann, 49, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said.

His co-defendant, Oliver Schor, 24, of Miller Place, was sentenced to 22 years to life after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for his role in the killing, prosecutors said.

According to evidence presented at Fernandez’s trial, he and Schor arrived at Hartmann’s Bohemia home at about 6:36 a.m. on Nov. 2, 2022. Both men were armed with guns, prosecutors said.

Fernandez mistakenly believed that a cellphone he said had been stolen from him was transmitting its location from Hartmann’s residence, according to the DA’s office.

The two men went to the back of the house and attempted to enter through a rear door, where they encountered Hartmann, prosecutors said. One of the defendants opened fire, shooting Hartmann multiple times before both men fled.

Hartmann was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators determined that Fernandez and Schor had gone to the wrong location in a case of mistaken identity, according to prosecutors. The DA’s release did not specify which defendant fired the shots.

Shortly before the killing, Fernandez stole a ski mask, gloves and a hat from a gas station in Manorville, prosecutors said.

A jury convicted Fernandez on March 6 following a trial before State Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski. Fernandez was found guilty of second-degree murder, a Class A felony; first-degree attempted burglary, a Class B felony; second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class C felony; second-degree criminal use of a firearm, a Class C felony; and petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor.

Schor pleaded guilty before Pilewski on March 18 to second-degree murder.

Fernandez was represented by Christopher Cassar and Pierre Bazile. Schor was represented by David Besso. The attorneys for both men were not available to respond to a request for comment.

An online fundraiser created for Hartmann’s family remained active following the sentencings. The GoFundMe, organized by Frankie Del Vecchio for Kimberly Hartmann, had raised $11,012 toward a $20,000 goal from 90 donations as of Thursday afternoon.

“While nothing can bring Michael Hartmann back or fill the void left for his wife and children by this devastating murder, the prison sentences handed down today for Christopher Fernandez and Oliver Schor ensures that both defendants are held fully accountable,” Tierney said. “Mr. Hartmann did nothing wrong — he was shot at his own home — and his family deserved nothing less than justice."