A Brooklyn man’s routine trip turned fatal after he was mugged and assaulted shortly after stepping out of a livery cab. Michael Shelonchik, 53, was brutally attacked on Tuesday evening, leaving his family and community shocked and heartbroken. The NYPD is investigating the incident, which has raised questions about safety and hate-related motives.

The Incident

According to police reports, Shelonchik got out of a livery cab around 6:15 p.m. near W. Fifth Street and Neptune Avenue, close to a bank. He was reportedly in the area to meet a friend, and a police source told the New York Daily News that he may have been there to purchase drugs.

As soon as he exited the cab, Shelonchik was ambushed by multiple attackers. The assailants beat him, mugged him, and stole his jewelry, including a Star of David chain, before fleeing the scene. Witnesses reported hearing him yell for help during the attack.

After the assault, Shelonchik managed to get back into the cab and told the driver he had been mugged and injured. He requested the driver take him home to Bergen Beach, but as they drove, Shelonchik began experiencing breathing difficulties.

The driver pulled over near E. Third Street and Avenue Y in Gravesend and called 911. Emergency medical services rushed Shelonchik to Maimonides Medical Center, but despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Conflicting Details and Ongoing Investigation

Initially, police stated that Shelonchik had been attacked inside the cab, but they later clarified that the beating occurred outside the vehicle. Pills and an empty pill bottle were found on Shelonchik’s person, leading authorities to suspect that an overdose might have contributed to his death. However, the medical examiner has not yet determined the official cause of death.

The NYPD is actively searching for the suspects involved in the attack. So far, no arrests have been made, and the perpetrators remain at large.

A Family’s Grief and Speculations

Shelonchik’s death has devastated his family, who described him as a kind and generous man. His 20-year-old daughter, Lexi, shared that her father had celebrated his 53rd birthday just one day before the tragic incident.

“He helped everybody,” Lexi told the New York Daily News. “Our neighbors would sometimes ask for money, and he would never say no. He never said no to anybody.”

Lexi also expressed concern that the robbery may have been motivated by anti-Semitism, as the stolen jewelry included a Star of David.

Shelonchik, who did not have a driver’s license, frequently relied on cabs to get around. His family is now grappling with the sudden loss, including his wife of over 30 years and his two daughters, Lexi and Taylor, 27.

Community Safety Concerns

The incident has sparked discussions about safety in the neighborhood and the risks of violent crimes. While mugging incidents are not uncommon, the level of violence in this case has alarmed residents.

Law enforcement has urged anyone with information about the assailants to come forward. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to identify the attackers and bring them to justice.

Remembering Michael Shelonchik

Shelonchik’s family and friends remember him as a caring and selfless individual who was always willing to help others. His untimely death has left a void in their lives, and they hope for answers and justice in the coming days.

As the investigation continues, the community remains on edge, waiting for the suspects to be apprehended and for more details to emerge about what led to this tragic loss.

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