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Edited by: Fern Sidman
A shocking incident in Brooklyn on Tuesday evening left a 53-year-old man dead after he was brutally beaten and robbed in the back of a ride-hail car. The Gothamist reported on Wednesday that Michael Shelonchik, a father of two and resident of Bergen Beach, Brooklyn, was attacked by two assailants who entered the vehicle at an intersection in Coney Island.
According to the NYPD, the assault took place around 6:15 p.m. at the intersection of West 5th Street and Neptune Avenue. The attackers opened the car door, violently assaulted Shelonchik, and forcibly snatched a chain from his neck. The report in The Gothamist noted that the driver attempted to flee the scene to protect the passenger but managed to drive only a few blocks before Shelonchik lost consciousness. Emergency responders rushed him to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain unclear, with investigators uncertain if Shelonchik knew his attackers. The Gothamist report highlighted that as of early Wednesday, no arrests had been made, and the NYPD is investigating the case as a potentially suspicious death. Police officials are also awaiting the determination of Shelonchik’s cause of death.
Initially, police stated that the vehicle involved was an Uber, but they later clarified that it was a livery cab. The Gothamist reported that Shelonchik’s brother, Ronnie, expressed deep grief over the tragedy. Ronnie shared that Michael, who worked in the wholesale business, had planned to celebrate his recent birthday with him on Saturday after weather-related delays prevented an earlier celebration. “He was a great family man. Great father,” Ronnie said, adding that Michael often wore a Jewish star on a gold chain, though it’s unclear if the chain was of significant monetary value.
Shelonchik’s reasons for being in Coney Island on Tuesday remain unknown, as do the identities and motives of his attackers. The report in The Gothamist pointed out that robbery rates in the area’s 60th Precinct—which encompasses Coney Island, Brighton Beach, and Sea Gate—have slightly declined this year. Police data shows a decrease of four robberies compared to the same period in 2024, while felony assaults are down by one incident.
This tragic incident has left a family mourning the loss of a father and brother, while the community grapples with the unsettling nature of the attack. The Gothamist report emphasized the importance of understanding the full scope of events as the investigation unfolds, offering a reminder of the fragility of life and the need for justice in such devastating circumstances.
