Content warning: this story includes details a fatal act of violence that readers will find upsetting.
A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged with murder as a hate crime in connection to the fatal stabbing of O’Shae Sibley.
On 29 July, the openly gay professional dancer was stabbed while voguing outside a gas station near Coney Island.
According to witnesses at the scene, O’Shae and his friends were enjoying their evening dancing to Beyoncé’s Renaissance album before a group of men approached them, spewing anti-LGBTQ+ and racial slurs.
Things quickly escalated into a physical altercation between O’Shae and a member of the opposing group – who claimed that his dancing offended their faith.
After the beloved choreographer was stabbed, his friends attempted to stop the bleeding before he was transported to Maimonides Medical Center – where he was later pronounced dead.
“They murdered him because he’s gay, because he stood up for his friends. His name was O’Shae, and you all killed him. You murdered him right in front of me,” O’Shae’s friend Otis Pena said in a Facebook video.
After a week of searching, a 17-year-old suspect connected to O’Shae’s horrific murder turned himself in on 4 August.
“The suspect in the fatal stabbing of O’Shae Sibley in my district last Saturday night just turned himself into the @NYPD61Pct & is now in their custody,” Councilwoman Inna Vernikov said in a statement on Twitter.
The suspect in the fatal stabbing of O’Shae Sibley in my district last Saturday night just turned himself in to the @NYPD61Pct & is now in their custody. Wishing the family peace during this difficult time & hoping for swift justice & serious consequences for the perpetrator. https://t.co/q2R4SzueAP
— Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (@InnaVernikov) August 4, 2023
“Wishing the family peace during this difficult time & hoping for swift justice & serious consequences for the perpetrator.”
On 5 August, the suspect was charged with second-degree murder as a hate crime and criminal possession of a weapon, per The New York Times.
“This is a city where you are free to express yourself. And that expression should never end with any form of violence,” Mayor Eric Adams announced during a press conference.
The recent development comes a day after LGBTQ+ activists held a vigil for the beloved performer near the gas station where he was killed.
“We’re flooding the streets in honor of O’Shea Sibley. The turnout is amazing,” one Twitter user wrote alongside a video of the emotional crowd.
“We are all here in love, everyone has been respectful, the traffic is cooperating. This is such a beautiful showcase of love. Rest well, O’Shea.”
The gathering featured heartwarming speeches and electric performances on the streets from members of the ballroom community.
In addition to the aforementioned vigil, O’Shea’s life was honoured by various celebrities, including Janelle Monáe and Ellen DeGeneres.
Beyoncé also paid tribute to the young performer on her website, writing: “Rest in power O’Shae Sibley.”
A funeral for O’Shae is set to take place on 8 August. His father, Jake Kelly, currently has a GoFundMe set up to raise money for funeral costs.
See below for videos from the various vigils for O’Shae Sibley.
We’re flooding the streets in honor of O’Shea Sibley. The turn out is amazing!! pic.twitter.com/hsTOEnr6V3
— @kp_official1 on IG (@kp_official_1) August 4, 2023
From Coast to Coast we are celebrating the life of O’Shea Sibley. With love from LA, Rest in power 🫶🏾🫶🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/CdiEPtO8cS
— George M Johnson Garçon (@IamGMJohnson) August 5, 2023
We are all here in love, everyone has been respectful, the traffic is cooperating. This is such a beautiful showcase of love.
Rest well O’shea ❤️ pic.twitter.com/MAyGLAO3sd
— @kp_official1 on IG (@kp_official_1) August 4, 2023
All this for you O’Shea. 💔 pic.twitter.com/kKwPdjXno0
— 𝖁𝖊𝖓𝖚𝖘 𝕮𝖚𝖋𝖋𝖘 (@VenusCuffs) August 5, 2023
yesterday there was a rally for o’shea sibley, a Black man killed in brooklyn for dancing to a beyoncé song. for being publicly queer. for being gay. for dancing. pic.twitter.com/zHQLdIfJ5F
— 5hahem aka Dr. Durag (@shaTIRED) August 5, 2023
We are gathered here at the gas station on Coney Island Ave. and Ave P to remember the life and legacy of O’Shea Sibley.
May his family and all those who knew him find peace in these incredibly trying times. pic.twitter.com/bl4OZE4qe3
— Tim Hunter (@TheTimHunter) August 4, 2023
O’Shea Sibley was murdered for voguing as a Black gay man. IN BROOKLYN!! IN 2023!! COMING HOME FROM THE BEYONCE SHOW YOU ALL CAME BACK FROM SAFELY!!
In his honor, the community vogues as an act of resistance. pic.twitter.com/S2i8ZmxVBN
— Manvir Singh🌹 (@manvirNYC) August 5, 2023
Showed out and showed up for O’shea Sibley across the country.
Rest in Power O’shea. #JusticeForOShae pic.twitter.com/IC8Jq9tieX
— Steven Underwood x’d out: 🔴 (@blaqueword) August 5, 2023