Victim's family asks public for help catching killer

The family of a Mastic Beach man shot dead in May hopes the public can help Suffolk police catch his killer.

Raymond Hirt was shot once in the neck on May 24 at 7 a.m. as he sat in his car on Beech Street, just south of Portion Road in Lake Ronkonkoma, while waiting to begin his workday as a flagman for Pratt Brothers, a construction company.

Police say the slaying may not have been a random act, but they have no real leads, no motives and no suspects in the shooting, and are counting on the public for help. They believe a dark sport utility vehicle, possibly black, pulled up to Hirt's car and someone inside the vehicle fired at least one shot at Hirt, according to Suffolk Det. Lt. Gerard Pelkofsky.

"We're looking for that dark SUV," Pelkofsky said. "Someone could have observed the vehicle parked [or] turning."

Detectives are also appealing to "anyone who knows someone who may have been involved," Pelkofsky said. Several scenarios, including road rage - perhaps directed at Hirt, 51, because of his job directing traffic - were being considered, he said.

Hirt left behind a son, a fiancee, two brothers, and several nieces and nephews.

"I go through each day hoping that the phone will ring and that there was an arrest," said Cathy Ferayorni, 48, Hirt's fiancee. "[His death] took away everything. Life as I knew it is completely over."

Ferayorni and Hirt had dated for more than two years. Tuesday, she described him as a compassionate man. Recalling their time together, she said Hirt once spray-painted "I love Cat" on a roadway before it was paved. Memories like those, along with the loss of Hirt's companionship, make not finding his killer more difficult, she said.

"I can't imagine anybody hurting him, " Ferayorni, of Sound Beach, said.

Hirt's younger brother, David Hirt, 48, of Lake Ronkonkoma, said the unsolved murder has been unbearable. His brother had no enemies and never feared for his life. "We just want answers," he said.

He described his older brother as a homebody who enjoyed riding his motorcycle, and had an assortment of pets that included five snakes, a cat and a dog.

"He was always a happy free spirit," David Hirt said. "We just want justice. We want to know how and why and what could make somebody do this."

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the homicide to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential and callers are eligible for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for any information leading to an arrest, police said.