Case Summary
- Case Type
- Homicide
- Incident Date
- January 3, 2022
- Incident Time
- evening
- Location
- parking lot of a Scottsdale hotel, Scottsdale, AZ
- Investigating Agency
- Law & Crime
- Suspect
- Robert Celifie
- Victim Count
- 1
- Charges
- conspiracy, first-degree murder, first-degree burglary
- Court Status
- sentenced
- Case Status
- convicted and sentenced
A man living his dream of owning a mobile barbershop was shot and killed in Scottsdale, Arizona, in January 2022. Prosecutors secured a life sentence for the mastermind behind the execution-style murder-for-hire plot.
The incident unfolded in the parking lot of a Scottsdale hotel where the victim had just finished a haircut appointment. Law enforcement and prosecutors from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office detailed a complex conspiracy involving out-of-state actors and coordinated digital tracking that ultimately led to convictions.
Incident Overview
On the evening of January 3, 2022, 32-year-old Ilya Shimonov, known as Mike the Barber, was working out of his converted school bus in the parking lot of a Scottsdale hotel. According to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Shimonov had just completed a haircut appointment when he was approached and shot multiple times. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Investigators quickly discovered that Shimonov's cell phone was stolen during the attack, prompting a digital footprint that detectives tracked across state lines from Las Vegas to Los Angeles.
Suspect Information
Robert Celifie, of California, was identified by prosecutors as the mastermind who orchestrated the murder-for-hire plot. Authorities stated that Celifie did not pull the trigger himself, but provided his co-conspirator, Chaze Cable, with a vehicle, a firearm, money, photographs of the victim, and specific instructions regarding the time, location, and post-crime directions. A jury convicted Celifie of conspiracy, first-degree murder, and first-degree burglary, resulting in a life sentence. His co-conspirator, Chaze Cable, was convicted by a separate jury and also received a life sentence. Prosecutors noted that Shimonov did not know Celifie or Cable personally, though Celifie and the victim shared mutual acquaintances.
Victim Information
The victim was identified as 32-year-old Ilya Shimonov, who operated a mobile barbershop out of a converted school bus. Family members, including his mother, shared during a press conference that operating the barber bus was the realization of his lifelong dream. He was fatally shot moments after completing a client's haircut.
Police Response
Officers with the Scottsdale Police Department responded to the hotel parking lot following reports of gunfire. Responding units secured the crime scene, initiated life-saving measures, and launched an immediate investigation into the targeted shooting.
Investigation
The Scottsdale Police Department led the investigation, utilizing digital forensics to track the victim's stolen cell phone from Arizona through Las Vegas and eventually to Los Angeles. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office worked in tandem with detectives to piece together the mechanics of the murder-for-hire plot, which revealed that Celifie supplied the logistics, weapon, and transportation utilized by Cable.
Evidence Collected
- The victim's stolen cell phone, tracked digitally to Las Vegas and Los Angeles
- The firearm used in the shooting, belonging to suspect Robert Celifie
- The motor vehicle used by Chaze Cable to travel to Scottsdale
- Photographs of Ilya Shimonov provided by Celifie to the shooter
Arrest Details
While specific initial apprehension details for the suspects were not fully outlined in the primary release, court proceedings culminated in convictions. Robert Celifie was convicted in August and subsequently sentenced to life in prison by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.
Charges Filed
- Conspiracy: An agreement between two or more people to commit a crime, carrying severe statutory penalties depending on the underlying offense.
- First-Degree Murder: The unlawful killing of a human being committed with premeditation, typically classified as a class 1 felony carrying sentences of natural life or life without the possibility of parole.
- First-Degree Burry: Entering or remaining unlawfully in or on a residential or non-residential structure with the intent to commit theft or any felony, classified as a major felony offense.
Court Information
The case was prosecuted through the Maricopa County Attorney's Office in Arizona. Deputy County Attorney Richard Dusterhoft prosecuted the case, which resulted in convictions and life sentences for both Robert Celifie and Chaze Cable following jury trials.
Statements from Authorities
This defendant may not have been the one who pulled the trigger, but through his actions he condemned this victim to death just the same, said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell in a statement. Thanks to the work of Scottsdale Police Department, and prosecutor Richard Dusterhoft, this violent individual will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Public Safety Information
Violent crimes involving targeted conspiracies often highlight broader concerns regarding community safety and conflict resolution. Individuals with information regarding unsolved violent crimes or threats to public safety are encouraged to contact local law enforcement immediately. If you or someone you know is affected by violence or requires immediate assistance, please dial 911.
What Happens Next
Following the sentencing of Robert Celifie and his co-conspirator to life in prison, the criminal court proceedings for this specific case have concluded. Defense teams retain standard appellate rights to challenge convictions through higher state courts.
