A Coney Island evening turned into every parent’s worst nightmare when a stranger attempted to abduct a 6-year-old boy from the sidewalk. On July 6, 2025, just before 10 p.m. near the intersection of Stillwell and Surf avenues, a 36-year-old man grabbed Rah’Shem Gantt, who had momentarily fallen a few steps behind his parents. What followed was a dramatic chase that showed a parent’s love and protective instinct in action.
The Gantt family, visiting from Queens, had been enjoying a summer evening at the iconic location. They had spent time on the beach and on the rides at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, and were walking through the crowded streets when the incident occurred. Rah’Shem, known to his family as Rah’Rah, was walking behind his parents, Sharon Robinson and Roy Gantt, when a man dressed in black and wearing a fez-style hat seized the opportunity. He swiftly picked up Rah’Shem and fled.
The child’s screams for his mother cut through the evening noise. Sharon and Roy turned to see the man running with their son and immediately gave chase. As the parents closed the distance, the panicked suspect dropped Rah’Shem onto the pavement and continued to run. The boy’s head struck the concrete, but his parents did not stop. They pursued the man, with Sharon ultimately tackling him to the ground near a candy shop. The couple detained him until NYPD officers arrived and took him into custody.
The suspect, who has prior arrests, remained in custody as of July 7, 2025, while charges were being formalized. Sharon has been vocal, stating she wants the man to face felony charges for the trauma he inflicted on her family. Rah’Shem was taken to Coney Island Hospital, where doctors reported he was physically stable, though he suffered pain and bruising. According to his family, the 6-year-old is severely traumatized, has been crying since the incident, and told his father he never wants to return to Coney Island.
Bystanders were quick to assist, with several people staying to comfort Rah’Shem and his younger sister while their parents apprehended the suspect. The incident, captured on video by onlookers, has since gone viral online, sparking a significant conversation about public safety in places like Coney Island, which are popular destinations for families.
