Hate Crime Charge: Teen Arrested for NYC Stabbing Death of O’Shae Sibley
A 17-year-old high school student was arrested and detained on allegations of hate crime associated with the stabbing death of a professional dancer at a New York City gas station over the weekend. According to a press conference held on Saturday, the unidentified teen was detained on Friday and filed with second-degree murder as an act of hatred and illegal possession of a weapon in the death of 28-year-old O’Shae Sibley.
Sibley, who is openly gay, was dancing with his companions to a Beyoncé song while pumping gas at a Brooklyn gas station in the late hours of July 29 when they were accosted by another group, according to officials. CCTV footage captured the altercation. As seen on the video, a verbal altercation quickly escalates into a physical altercation, Kenny stated. Kenny revealed that the group insisted that Sibley put a stop dancing and referred to him with derogatory terms and homophobic obscenities. In addition to making anti-Black remarks, they demanded that they cease dancing.
The harassment lasted approximately four minutes. The suspect subsequently stabbed Sibley in the thorax with a sharp object. Sibley collapsed while the suspect escaped in a Toyota Highlander. Sibley was transported to a local hospital, where he eventually succumbed to his injuries early on July 30. Authorities quickly located the suspect, who attends a Brooklyn high school, according to Kenny, and his surrender was arranged by means of his attorney. Kenny stated that the suspect is being charged solely at the moment, and there are no immediate intentions to charge the others in his group.
Read Also: Kentucky’s U.S. Customs Officers Intercept $4 Million in Faux Designer Watches
From Heartbreak to Hope: NYC Mourns Sibley’s Passing
This week, Otis Pena stated in a Facebook Live video that he was friends with Sibley and witnessed the assault. CBS New York reports that Sibley was a well-known dancer in the predominantly LGBTQ+ men of color ballroom community. Beyoncé herself posted on her website about Sibley’s demise, indicating the extent of the outpouring of sympathy for Sibley and his family.
This is a city in which you are free to express yourself, and that expression must never end in violence, said New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Saturday. On Friday, a rally in Sibley’s honor was conducted at the Brooklyn gas station where he was stabbed. Saturday night also saw a memorial service and candlelight vigil arranged by the LGBTQ+ community.
Read Also: Texas Judge Grants Temporary Reprieve: Abortion Ban Lifted for Complex Pregnancies
