An Uber passenger in Brooklyn was tragically killed after being attacked during a mugging on Tuesday evening, as reported by the NYPD.
Michael Shelonchik, 53, had exited a livery cab around 6:15 p.m. near a bank at W. Fifth St. and Neptune Ave. He was reportedly in the area to buy drugs. As soon as he got out of the car, several people attacked him. They beat him up and stole his chain. Shelonchik shouted for help, telling bystanders that he was being mugged.
After the attack, Shelonchik got back into the cab and asked the driver to take him home to Bergen Beach. However, during the ride, he began to struggle with breathing and had a medical emergency. The driver quickly called 911, and Shelonchik was rushed to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
At first, police had said the attack took place inside the Uber, but they later clarified that the mugging happened outside the car. Authorities found pills and an empty pill bottle on Shelonchik, which led them to believe he may have died from a drug overdose. However, the medical examiner has not yet confirmed the cause of death.
The suspects who attacked Shelonchik have not been identified, and the police are asking for any witnesses who might have seen the incident. Shelonchik’s daughter, Lexi Shelonchik, 20, spoke to the media about her father. She described him as a kind and generous person who always helped others. She mentioned that he had just celebrated his 53rd birthday the day before he was killed.
Lexi said her father was frequently asked for help by neighbors, and he never turned anyone away. She also mentioned that he didn’t have a driver’s license, which is why he often took cabs. The necklace that was stolen from him was a Star of David, and his family wonders if the attack was motivated by anti-Semitism.
Michael Shelonchik is survived by his wife of over 30 years, as well as his daughters, Lexi and 27-year-old Taylor.
