Killing of O'Shae Sibley

Coordinates: 40°36′37″N 73°57′44″W / 40.6104°N 73.9622°W / 40.6104; -73.9622
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Killing of O'Shae Sibley
LocationMidwood, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Coordinates40°36′37″N 73°57′44″W / 40.6104°N 73.9622°W / 40.6104; -73.9622
DateJuly 29, 2023 (2023-07-29)
c. 11:00 p.m. (EST)
Attack type
Stabbing, violence against LGBT people
VictimO'Shae Sibley
Accused17-year-old male
Charges

On July 29, 2023, O'Shae Sibley, a 28-year-old gay man, was stabbed and later died as a result of an incident outside of a Mobil gas station in Midwood, Brooklyn, New York, United States. He and his friends were confronted by a group of individuals for playing Beyoncé music and voguing. The suspect accused of the stabbing was identified as a 17-year-old, who turned himself in to police custody on August 4, 2023, and was later charged with second-degree murder as a hate crime.

Background[edit]

The victim, 28-year-old O'Shae Sibley, was a professional dancer and choreographer born on September 1, 1994.[1][2] He was one of eleven siblings in his family.[3] Prior to moving from Philadelphia to Brownsville, Brooklyn in 2020 to pursue career opportunities,[3][4][5] he had been a part of Philadanco since his teenage years.[6][7] As a part of an all-queer dance group that he joined for a video project called "Vogue 4 #BlackLivesMatter",[4] he performed at Lincoln Center.[8] According to those who knew Sibley, he regularly danced in public.[7] Sibley used his dance skills not only for artistic purposes, but to advocate for social change as well.[5]

Incident[edit]

The Mobil gas station on Coney Island Avenue, where the incident took place (pictured January 2022)

On the evening of July 29, Sibley, accompanied by a group of friends, had been refueling their vehicle at a Mobil gas station on Coney Island Avenue in Midwood, Brooklyn, New York, following a day spent beachgoing at the Jersey Shore to celebrate a friend's birthday.[9][10][11] Sibley and his friends were playing Renaissance by Beyoncé and vogueing,[1] when a group of people exited the convenience store and approached them,[6] telling them to stop dancing while hurling homophobic slurs and racist statements against them,[12][13] and accused them of being offensive to their religion.[4] A witness quoted one member of the group who said "we're Muslim, I don't want you dancing".[9] Sibley then confronted the group[1] and attempted to deescalate the situation.[14] An argument ensued and Sibley was ultimately stabbed by one of the teenagers.[1] Sibley sustained a stab wound to the torso and, after receiving first aid from his friends, was rushed to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.[15] Otis Pena, a friend of Sibley who was with him at the time of his killing, said "they murdered him because he was gay, because he stood up for his friends," in a video posted to Facebook.[16]

Shortly following the stabbing, a GoFundMe was created by Sibley's father to fund his funeral.[3] On August 8, 2023, Sibley's funeral was held in Philadelphia, where he grew up.[17]

Accused[edit]

The accused was described as a teenager with dark hair, wearing a black shirt and red shorts.[18] The incident is being investigated as a potential hate crime by NYPD detectives.[19] The suspect, a 17-year-old high school student who was seen fighting Sibley on surveillance footage prior to his stabbing,[14] turned himself in to the police with his attorney on August 4, 2023.[20][21] It was originally reported that during the altercation, the suspect claimed he identified as Muslim and said that he took offense to Sibley's dancing.[22] Later, the suspect's lawyer informed media that his client is a Christian.[23] According to a witness, the accused as well as those with him said homophobic slurs.[24] He was charged with second-degree murder as a hate crime as well as criminal possession of a weapon,[25][26] and was held without bail.[27] If convicted, he faces 20 to 25 years imprisonment.[28] He has pleaded not guilty, and is being charged as an adult.[29]

Reactions[edit]

A cardboard protest sign is held with the words: "Black Queer Lives Matter" in the foreground, with hundreds gathering in the background at a Mobil gas station
People gather at a vigil for O'Shae Sibley in Midwood, Brooklyn.
Memorial for O'Shae Sibley

The stabbing was called a hate crime by New York City Mayor Eric Adams,[30][31] who also vowed to find the perpetrator.[32] The killing has been condemned by LGBTQ lawmakers and activists, including New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who expressed being "heartbroken and enraged to learn about O'Shae Sibley's death" in a tweet.[14] Beyoncé, the artist whose music Sibley and his friends were playing at the time of the incident, paid tribute to Sibley on her website, which features the phrase "rest in power O'Shae Sibley".[33] Those who paid tribute to Sibley also include Spike Lee, Club Cumming, a gay bar,[32] and ballroom communities in Los Angeles[34] and New York,[35] who staged protests and vigils to remember Sibley. On August 3, Sibley was honored by 80 mourners at the Stonewall Inn, a bar regarded as being of key importance to the gay rights movement.[36] On August 4, hundreds of people gathered at a vigil held at the scene of Sibley's death to mourn, celebrate his life,[37] and protest. Titled "Vogue as an Act of Resistance," it featured individuals who vogued in Sibley's memory.[38][39]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Cramer, Maria; Parnell, Wesley (31 July 2023). "Man Fatally Stabbed in Confrontation as He Danced at a Gas Station". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Obituary for O'Shae Leon Sibley". Nicole M. Bartlett Funeral Home & Cremations Inc. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b c McMenamin, Lexi (1 August 2023). "LBGTQ+ Community Mourns Brooklyn Dancer Killed While Vogueing". Teen Vogue. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Mzezewa, Tariro (1 August 2023). "O'Shae Sibley Was Stabbed to Death After Dancing". The Cut. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b Rodriguez, Matthew (1 August 2023). "O'Shea Sibley, a Beloved Dancer, Killed After Vogueing at Brooklyn Gas Station". Them. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  6. ^ a b Levesque, Brody (31 July 2023). "Out Black dancer O'Shae Sibley killed, NYPD probe as hate crime". Los Angeles Blade: LGBTQ News, Rights, Politics, Entertainment. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  7. ^ a b BRANDT, JOE; PETRILLO, MATT (2 August 2023). "Beyonce honors dancer O'Shae Sibley after stabbing death investigated as hate crime - CBS Philadelphia". www.cbsnews.com. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  8. ^ Parascandola, Rocco (July 31, 2023). "Exclusive: Killed for vogueing: Sibley's pal says victim died in his arms after stabbed at Brooklyn gas station in anti-gay hate crime: 'Not going to live hiding'". The Brunswick News. New York Daily News. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Kriegstein, Brittany (31 July 2023). "Dancer's killing at a Brooklyn gas station under investigation as hate crime". Gothamist. New York Public Radio. Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  10. ^ Saad, Nardine (2 August 2023). "Beyoncé pays tribute to O'Shae Sibley, the dancer who died after vogueing to her music". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  11. ^ Blanco, Andrea (August 2, 2023). "O'Shae Sibley tributes pour in as search for suspect in Brooklyn stabbing continues". The Independent. Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  12. ^ "Friends gather in Philadelphia to remember O'Shae Sibley, killed in a confrontation over dancing". AP News. August 8, 2023. Archived from the original on August 9, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023. Police said the teens used homophobic slurs and made anti-Black statements.
  13. ^ Chudy, Emily (1 August 2023). "Gay man stabbed to death in Brooklyn by gang of men after voguing at gas station". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  14. ^ a b c Lavietes, Matt; Sheeley, Colin; Sopelsa, Brooke (1 August 2023). "Fatal stabbing of NYC gay man is being investigated as a possible hate crime". NBC News. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  15. ^ Blanco, Andrea (1 August 2023). "Gay man is fatally stabbed while dancing to Beyoncé at Brooklyn gas station". The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  16. ^ Alfonseca, Kiara (August 1, 2023). "Deadly stabbing of gay man at NYC gas station investigated as potential hate crime". ABC News. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  17. ^ Thomas, TaRhonda (8 August 2023). "Funeral held for O'Shea Sibley, professional dancer killed in hate crime". 6abc Philadelphia. Archived from the original on 9 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  18. ^ "NYPD: O'Shae Sibley, 28, stabbed to death in suspected hate crime at Brooklyn gas station - CBS New York". www.cbsnews.com. 31 July 2023. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  19. ^ Green, Kendall (31 July 2023). "NYPD's Hate Crimes Unit probing Saturday's stabbing as possible hate crime". FOX 5 NY. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  20. ^ Tucker, Mark Morales,Emma (4 August 2023). "Teenager suspected of killing man vogueing at Brooklyn gas station turns himself in, law enforcement source says". CNN. Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Lavietes, Matt; Dienst, Jonathan (4 August 2023). "Suspect arrested in connection with deadly stabbing of Brooklyn gay man". NBC News. Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  22. ^ Meko, Hurubie; Parnell, Wesley (8 August 2023). "Twist in Dancer's Killing as Key Detail About Suspect Is Corrected". New York Times. Archived from the original on 9 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  23. ^ "Teen accused in Brooklyn hate crime stabbing is 'good Christian boy,' attorney says". PIX11. 2023-08-07. Archived from the original on 2023-08-08. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  24. ^ Janelle, Griffith (8 August 2023). "Teen charged in death of gay man used homophobic slurs before fatal stabbing, complaint says". NBC News. Archived from the original on 9 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  25. ^ Tebor, Celina (5 August 2023). "Suspect in O'Shae Sibley killing charged with murder". CNN. Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  26. ^ Meko, Hurubie (5 August 2023). "Teenager Is Charged in Killing of Dancer at Brooklyn Gas Station". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  27. ^ Katersky, Aaron; Alfonseca, Kiara (August 7, 2023). "Teen said 'homophobic slurs' before O'Shae Sibley killing: Criminal complaint". ABC News. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  28. ^ Beech, Samantha (10 August 2023). "Killing of O'Shae Sibley, who was fatally stabbed while dancing at a Brooklyn gas station, will be prosecuted as a hate crime, prosecutor says". CNN. Archived from the original on 11 August 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
  29. ^ "O'Shae Sibley: Suspect, 17, pleads not guilty to hate crime". BBC News. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  30. ^ "NYC Mayor Adams Calls Fatal Stabbing of Gay Dancer a 'Hate Crime'". The Messenger. 31 July 2023. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  31. ^ "Man stabbed to death at Brooklyn gas station: NYPD". PIX11. 30 July 2023. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  32. ^ a b "Tributes pour in for professional dancer killed at Brooklyn gas station". ABC7 New York. 2 August 2023. Archived from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  33. ^ Saunders, Angel (August 1, 2023). "Beyoncé Honors Dancer O'Shae Sibley Who Was Fatally Stabbed While Voguing to Her Music". People. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  34. ^ "Vogue as resistance: L.A. ballroom scene protests O'Shae Sibley death with dance at a gas station". Los Angeles Times. 2023-08-05. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  35. ^ "Teenager charged with hate crime in fatal stabbing of Brooklyn gay man". NBC News. 2023-08-05. Archived from the original on 2023-08-05. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  36. ^ Lee, Miya (4 August 2023). "Love Letter: Honoring O'Shae Sibley at the Stonewall Inn". New York Times. Archived from the original on 4 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  37. ^ Billson, Chantelle (5 August 2023). "Suspect in custody as defiant voguing vigil held at scene of gay dancer O'Shae Sibley's killing". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 6 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  38. ^ Kourlas, Gia (7 August 2023). "O'Shae Sibley's 'Expression Was Turned Into Resistance'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  39. ^ Bansinath, Bindu (7 August 2023). "Voguing Through the Pain at O'Shae Sibley's Memorial". Curbed. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
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