New York, US:
A 99-year-old New York City landlord, known among neighbours for his generosity and lively spirit, has died just weeks after being robbed at gunpoint in a shocking broad-daylight heist that left the community shaken. Family members say the traumatic incident took a devastating toll on his health and ultimately contributed to his untimely passing.
The Brazen Daylight Attack
The incident took place in late August outside the man’s property in Brooklyn, where he had spent decades managing small apartment buildings. According to family accounts, the elderly landlord — identified by relatives as Samuel “Sam” Rosenberg — was walking to his car when two masked men approached, brandished a firearm, and demanded cash.
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Rosenberg, who was known for carrying rent receipts and cash deposits on him, complied without resistance. However, the criminals pushed him to the ground before fleeing, leaving him trembling and bruised on the sidewalk in the mid-afternoon heat.
Witnesses described the assault as “heartbreaking and senseless.” One long-time tenant said, “He never harmed anyone. He was part of the neighbourhood — everyone called him Mr. Sam. For this to happen to him, it’s just cruel.”
A Lifetime in Real Estate
Born in 1926, Rosenberg grew up in the Bronx during the Great Depression. Over the decades, he built a modest real-estate portfolio through hard work and careful saving. Although wealthy by some measures, family members say he lived simply, often taking walks through the same streets where he started his first property business more than 60 years ago.
“He loved New York,” said his granddaughter, Rachel Levin. “Even at 99, he insisted on doing everything himself. He never stopped checking his buildings or collecting rent personally — it gave him purpose.”
Rosenberg’s family described him as fiercely independent, still driving short distances, reading his morning newspaper daily, and often delivering groceries to tenants who were elderly or struggling.
Spiral After the Incident
Following the robbery, Rosenberg’s health reportedly deteriorated rapidly. Once known for walking several miles each day, he grew fearful of leaving his home. Family members said he became withdrawn and anxious — a stark contrast to the vibrant, humorous man they knew.
“He was never the same after that day,” Levin said. “He couldn’t sleep. He kept replaying it in his mind — the gun, the shouting, the helplessness. It broke something inside him.”
Though he suffered only minor physical injuries, he was later hospitalized after complaints of chest pain and shortness of breath. Doctors told the family that stress was likely aggravating his existing heart condition. On Monday, Rosenberg passed away at a Manhattan hospital with his loved ones by his side.
Police Investigation Ongoing
The New York Police Department confirmed that an investigation is ongoing but said no arrests have yet been made. Officers are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby stores and seeking information about the two suspects described as males in their 20s, last seen fleeing in a dark sedan.
Detectives reportedly believe the victim may have been targeted because of his known habit of carrying cash related to rent collection. Law enforcement sources have emphasized that such crimes — especially those targeting vulnerable seniors — remain a top priority for the department.
Residents across the area have called for increased patrols and surveillance, saying the robbery shattered their sense of safety. “If this can happen to a 99-year-old man in broad daylight, it can happen to anyone,” said one shop owner.
Remembering a Neighborhood Fixture
Those who knew Rosenberg remember him as an old-school New Yorker — blunt yet kind, disciplined yet warm. His tenants described him as “strict but fair,” often forgiving late rent payments or helping with repairs out of pocket.
At a small vigil outside one of his Brooklyn properties, candles and handwritten notes lined the sidewalk. A sign taped to his front gate read: “Rest Easy, Mr. Sam. Thank you for everything.”
One longtime tenant recalled, “He treated his tenants like family. When I lost my job, he told me not to worry about rent for a few months. That’s the kind of man he was.”
Family Calls for Justice
The Rosenberg family is urging authorities to bring the suspects to justice, saying their loved one’s death underscores how violent crime can devastate lives beyond the immediate physical harm. They are also calling for stronger protections for elderly property owners and community members who continue to live independently.
“My grandfather survived the Great Depression, wars, and a lifetime in New York City,” Levin said through tears. “But he couldn’t survive the fear this crime left him with.”
The family plans to hold a private funeral later this week, followed by a public memorial service for tenants, friends, and colleagues to pay their respects.
A Stark Reminder of Urban Vulnerability
Rosenberg’s story highlights a devastating intersection of age, independence, and vulnerability in urban life. Despite living nearly a century and witnessing the evolution of New York City through countless eras, he became a casualty of its modern-day crime struggles.
Community leaders have begun using the incident as a rallying point for greater awareness about protecting elderly residents, particularly those who conduct financial or property management tasks alone.
Though justice has yet to be served, Rosenberg’s family hopes his legacy will stand as a symbol of compassion, resilience, and the need for vigilance in protecting New York’s most vulnerable citizens.
In the city he loved and refused to leave, Samuel Rosenberg’s death has left an unmistakable void — one that speaks to both the beauty and fragility of life in America’s largest and toughest city.
