Messenger Memorial - Dzhoy Zuckerman

Dzhoy Zuckerman
Washington DC, d.15.July.2023

Photo:JM Ferrante

Dzhoy Zuckerman was a much loved Washington DC bike messenger. They were a fixture in the messenger community and the cycling community at large. Dzhoy was shot and killed in the early hours of July 15, 2023. They often wore purple so Washington's messenger and cycling community gathered together and all wore purple for a ride in honor of Dzhoy's memory.

We are all at a loss.

Dzhoy truly was a unique irreplaceable soul that touched the lives of so many people around them.

Since meeting them in late 2019, early 2020 our friendship had developed around our love for bikes, and our overall involvement in the community. Over those few years, I watched Dzhoy quickly develop into the unique personality that they would eventually become. They were truly passionate about everything they were involved in, whether it be cycling, messenger work, juggling - anything they decided to invest themself in quickly became a part of their identity. We had our differences at times, but in circumnavigating those differences to connect with each other our friendship had traveled a distance that exceeds the majority of the connections I've made with other people in the community.

As I write this, I feel a hollow pit in my heart, a void which will probably never heal but one which I will get used to. You left us too soon man - life isn't f*cking fair. Sending love to the heavens, and hoping that you are looking down at us from there. Thanks for being a part of my experience in these streets.

Bless up.

Ride in Power.

-Vik

I met @purple_dzhoy only a few months ago, though I'd seen them riding throughout DC. How could you miss that smile & joy on a gorgeous purple bike wearing a purple bag & purple helmet. We became fast friends digitally dapping each other's posts throughout the day. But when it came to Strava... no one & I mean no one could beat Dzhoy at the daily miles. Everyday they congratulated me on my rides & runs, inspiring me to up my 'ride name-game'. @purple_dzhoy has the BEST ride names on Strava. I'll miss our burgeoning digital friendship and loving encounters. You made me feel like we'd known each other forever. Thank you for supporting @native_women _ride
So sad I never went on that ride with you
Joy didn't upload their final day of riding yesterday, I'll be honoring them on my next ride... ride on Dzhoy, thank you for sharing your zest for life with me, if only for a few months.
- Guarina Paloma Lopez

Dzhoy loved and supported everyone, was insistently their own, hated cars, and loved being a bike messenger.

-JO

Dhoy was one of the most warm and welcoming people I have ever met. Dzhoy would say things that made me feel welcome in the urban bike community I look up to. They had a great sense of style, was an impressive rider, and an overall amazing human.

-Nicholas Passaro

Photo:Guarina Paloma Lopez

Biking fixture fatally shot in Northwest Washington, police say
By Heidi Pérez-Moreno and Karina Elwood
July 16, 2023 at 4:22 p.m. EDT

There was always a touch of purple on Dzhoy Zuckerman’s bikes.

Zuckerman always made a point to add their favorite color to the bikes they renovated, whether that was purple handlebars or wheels. It was a common sight to see a flash of purple as Zuckerman regularly zipped through the District’s streets on a bike.

The 27-year-old, who was a fixture in the city’s biking community, was fatally shot early Saturday morning in Northwest Washington. Police said they responded to the 6100 block of Third Street NW about 12:08 a.m., where they found Zuckerman. Police said they were pronounced dead at the scene.

On Sunday evening, about 100 people decked out in purple got onto their bikes and started out on an approximately 30-mile ride in their memory. The ride started and ended at Conte’s Bike Shop in the Navy Yard area.

Sabrina Valenti, founder at DC Queer Bikes and a friend of Zuckerman’s, said purple was reflective of Zuckerman’s personality — charismatic, friendly and jovial. Zuckerman, who used they/them pronouns, always knew how to make her laugh. She said she hoped that Sunday’s ride would bring bits of Zuckerman back to life.

“You’re able to put a smile on your face if you would have the worst day of your entire life. That’s like, the grand irony of it all,” Valenti said before the ride began. “Like when I go to this bike ride, I’m going to be like — where’s Dzhoy?”

Zuckerman, who was killed just a few blocks from their home, worked as a delivery cyclist for UrbanStems and as a courier for Washington Express.

Friends and loved ones said Zuckerman was a fixture in D.C’s. biking scene, spending most of their days biking. They biked every day to work and also led a weekly 30-mile bike ride throughout the District called the Purple Ride. Their personal Instagram biography reads “Kill cars. ACAB. Bike every day.”

Paul Yepez, a close friend of Zuckerman’s, organized the Sunday evening ride in hopes that people might be willing to remember his friend. The two had grown close over the past year and had biked more than 140 miles to the beach this month.

Yepez, dressed head to toe in purple, stepped onto a bench to address the crowd of about 100 bikers on Sunday.

“I don’t care if anyone doesn’t show up. I’m going to ride for my friend,” Yepez said.

Zuckerman was adopted from Ukraine when he was 9 years old, said Don Zuckerman, their father. Friend Nicole Van Dyke said Zuckerman was positive and easy to get along with.

The two regularly rode bikes and occasionally had dinners at Zuckerman’s apartment in Northeast Washington. Van Dyke was often amazed at Zuckerman’s juggling skills. Zuckerman could juggle five or six items, and held clinics at Meridian Hill Park, also known as Malcolm X Park, on Sundays to teach others. Don Zuckerman said he taught Dzhoy to juggle, and Dzhoy pursued the skill with their “usual persistence and intensity.”

“We are all talking about this tragedy,” said Elizabeth Kiker, president of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.

Inside Conte’s Bike Shop on Sunday, sales associate Semba Mwitanti stood beside the counter recalling memories of Zuckerman an hour before the scheduled memorial ride.

“The most positive person that I ever met,” Mwitanti said.

Officials are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information about the case. Those with information can contact the police at 202-727-9099 or submit an anonymous tip by texting 50411.

Samantha Latson contributed to this report.

GoFund me for Dzhoy

In the early hours of July 15, 2023, local bike legend and ray of sunshine Dzhoy Zuckerman was murdered. Dzhoy was a friend to all who knew them, a parent to their child, and a deeply loved partner to Cathryn Smith.

Dzhoy moved to the United States when they were 7 years old. They made DC their home and brought a smile to the faces of anyone who met them. Dzhoy started a circus club on Sundays in Malcolm X Park to share their love of juggling with friends. They volunteered with DC Bike Party, worked as a bike mechanic, and eventually started working full time as a bike messenger.

Whether or not they were on their bike, Dzhoy was always decked out in purple. You could hear them before you saw them, with a voice that could fill any room and a joyful laugh that could be heard from miles away.

Dzhoy was one of a kind. They are sorely missed already, and their loss will reverberate for years to come.

In the immediate aftermath of their sudden passing, I am raising to support their partner Cat as she gets her feet back under her. She is asking for funds to cover rent on the apartment she shared with Dzhoy, as well as day to day living expenses while she is grieving and unable to work. All money received from this fundraiser will go directly to Cat.

Thank you for supporting Dzhoy's memory.