Elderly Man Sentenced for Weapons Possession After Fatal Shooting
A 65-year-old man from Queens, Charles Fehner, began his prison term on Wednesday after receiving a four-year sentence for illegal firearms possession. This followed an incident where he fatally shot a would-be robber during a confrontation on May 31, 2023.
Fehner was taken to the Eric M. Taylor Center in the Bronx as a result of felony firearms charges. According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, he became engaged in a life-threatening situation when he returned home late at night and was confronted by a man named Cody Gonzalez, who demanded cigarettes and a cell phone.
Fehner drew a revolver, aiming it toward the ground in hopes of intimidating Gonzalez. The 32-year-old attacker, who had a troubling criminal history and mental health issues, advanced on him with what appeared to be a knife, but it turned out to be a pen. Responding to the perceived threat, Fehner shot Gonzalez, who died from the injury.
“He was getting closer and clearly intending to attack me,” Fehner recounted in a previous interview. “I didn’t want to hurt anyone. He left me no choice.”
After the shooting, Fehner called 911 and cooperated fully with law enforcement. Security cameras recorded the entire event, which contributed to his legal situation. Although he faced no charges for Gonzalez’s death, further investigation revealed a significant cache of weapons at Fehner’s home, which included unregistered rifles, handguns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and body armor.
The investigation unveiled 26 unlicensed firearms and a staggering 13,000 rounds of ammunition among other items. Fehner claimed he had accumulated the collection over the years, considering himself a lifelong gun enthusiast.
Details of Fehner’s Arsenal
- Two .38 caliber Smith & Wesson pistols
- Four .357 caliber Smith & Wesson revolvers
- Three 7.62 mm x 39 Norinco rifles
- Two 12-gauge Mossberg shotguns
- Various other handguns and rifles
- Ammunition: 13,074 rounds
- 152 large-capacity feeding devices
- Two bulletproof vests
Initially, Fehner had never aimed a gun at anyone, claiming, “I don’t want power over anyone.” After reaching a plea agreement in November, he was convicted on one count related to weapons possession.
On Wednesday, Judge Toni Cimino of the Queens Supreme Court imposed the four-year sentence, which will be followed by five years of post-release supervision. In his remaining weeks before incarceration, Fehner spent time with his wife, Jenny, and their pet dog, Biscuit, who has recently been diagnosed with cancer.
While in prison, Fehner hopes to focus on simply surviving and possibly learning a trade like welding. Although he takes responsibility for the events that unfolded, Fehner expressed his belief that he shouldn’t be behind bars, stating, “No matter the circumstances, a man died because of me.” His reflections suggest a conflicted state, grappling with the weight of that night and its irreversible consequences.
