An orthodontist was killed while taking his 5-year-old daughter to the Annadale playground at Flushing Meadows Park. Around 11AM, Daniel Malakov was shot in the chest twice by someone who witnesses say was wearing a black fleece.
Malakov had been taking his daughter to meet his ex-wife, and his family believes their divorce may be related to his killing. Malakov had won custody of little Michelleka last week "after a brutal court battle," according to the Daily News, and had frequently used the playground near a public school as a meeting place with his ex, Marina Borukhova. Borukhova, a doctor at North Shore University Hospital, tried to give Malakov CPR, but he was pronounced dead at Northshore Forest Hills Hospital. Borukhova was questioned by police for hours and told reporters, "I had enough for the whole day and even for the rest of my life."
His 15-year-old nephew spoke to the NY Times about his uncle's concern for his daughter's well-being, "My mom said to him, ‘Congratulations, you must be so happy, you have custody of your daughter now.' He said ‘No, I love her, but I really didn’t want it to happen like this. A daughter should have a father and a mother in her life. She shouldn’t have to go through this.’” His family also said he was always willing to let his ex see their daughter.
Michelleka was taken into custody by the Administration for Children's Services; it's unclear when Borukhova will see her. And patients and neighbors were shocked. One told the NY Times that Malakov would still work on patients even if they couldn't pay.
