Daughter Speaks Out After Father's Brutal Taxi Attack

In a heart-wrenching incident that has left a family shattered, 53-year-old Michael Shelonchik was fatally attacked in Brooklyn on Jan. 21, 2025. As he sat in the back seat of a taxi on Neptune Avenue, two assailants opened the door, brutally assaulted him, and forcibly removed a chain from his neck before fleeing on foot. Following the attack, Shelonchik suffered a medical episode and was transported to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

A Devoted Family Man

Shelonchik’s daughter, Taylor, 27, described her father as “a father every girl could dream of.” She emphasized the close-knit nature of their family, stating to the New York Post, “We do everything together. We eat together every meal, we go grocery shopping together, we go to doctors’ appointments together, we do everything as a unit.” Taylor expressed profound grief, saying, “I don’t know how to live without him. He’s my life.”

The Senselessness of the Crime

The stolen necklace, adorned with a Star of David, was reportedly worth less than $50, making the violent act even more incomprehensible. Shelonchik’s brother noted the necklace was “like (what) the rappers wear but had a Jewish star on it … And the Jewish star was all diamond-filled so that must have drew the attention,” according to the Jerusalem Post.

Community Outrage and Call for Action

This tragic event has sparked outrage among the city’s taxi drivers, who are now advocating for legislative changes to enhance their safety, including the ability to lock back doors to prevent such attacks. The NYPD has released surveillance footage of the suspects, described as males in their 20s with dark complexions, wearing black hooded coats and balaclavas, PEOPLE reports. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.

A Family’s Plea

In the wake of this tragedy, the Shelonchik family is seeking support to cover funeral expenses and other costs. A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established, with his sister-in-law stating to the Jerusalem Post, “He was senselessly beaten for his chain necklace, which led to his untimely death … His two daughters, Taylor and Lexi, and wife, Jennifer, have been left heartbroken and inconsolable. He was their sole provider.”

As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a man remembered for his devotion to his family, his humor, and his passion for music. Taylor stated to the New York Post, “I speak the way I speak because of him. I walk the way I walk because of him. I talk the way I talk because of him and it’s like somebody took my crutches from beneath me and I’m just left with broken legs and I have to learn how to walk,” cherishing the profound impact her father had on her life.

References: Brooklyn Man Who Died After Beating by Muggers in Back Seat of Taxi Remembered as ‘A Father Every Girl Could Dream of’ | NYC dad dies of apparent medical episode after duo pummels, robs him of chain inside private cab: cops | Police probe death of man beaten, robbed of Star of David necklace in Coney Island