Hershy Schwartz, a 39-year-old man from North Miami Beach, Florida, was found shot to death on February 19, 2023, in the parking lot of a Wendy's located at 25 NE 167th St. This tragic event occurred just a week before his wedding, which was scheduled to take place on March 1 in Lakewood, New Jersey. Schwartz, originally from New York, had lived in South Florida for about 12 years and was an active member of the Orthodox Jewish community in North Miami Beach and elsewhere.
Schwartz was discovered near his car around 8:30 a.m. on February 19. Surveillance videos showed that he had been in the area earlier, with footage capturing him looking at his phone in his car shortly before 3:10 a.m. on February 18, and then returning to his car around 4:30 a.m. on the day of his death. He was wearing the same clothes when police found him dead. His car had been ransacked, and his wallet, firearm, and phone were missing.
The investigation revealed that Schwartz's death was likely the result of an attempted armed carjacking gone wrong. On May 18, 2023, Louis Antuwn Redmon, a 23-year-old man from Jacksonville, was arrested in connection with the crime. According to the arrest warrant, surveillance video showed Redmon looking into Schwartz’s SUV, opening the door, and engaging in a struggle with Schwartz before backing away and shooting him. Redmon had been staying at the North Miami Beach Garden Inn & Suites hotel near the Golden Glades interchange before the shooting.
Redmon faces charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery, armed carjacking, and felon in possession of a firearm. Cell phone records indicated that after the shooting, calls and text messages were made from Schwartz’s phone to numbers registered to Redmon’s current or former girlfriend and her son. Redmon, also known as “Bam,” had a habit of borrowing other people’s phones to make calls and send texts, which helped investigators link him to the crime.
Schwartz was a respected member of his community, known for his hard work and willingness to help others. He worked as a heavy machinery operator and was involved with several Jewish voluntary organizations, including Chaverim of South Florida and Chesed Shel Emes. His family and friends have made public pleas for justice, expressing their grief and the impact of his loss on their lives. Schwartz’s brother, Yoel, described him as not only his brother but also his best friend and emphasized the family’s desire for justice in the case.
