O’Shae Sibley murder declared a hate crime

Beloved New York dancer O’Shae Sibley died on July 29 after a 17-year-old man accosted and savaged Sibley and his friends at a gas station in Brooklyn. The teenager is currently charged with hate murder – NBC News reports.

The fatal encounter occurred when, after Sibley and his group of friends were dancing to Beyoncé on the gas station pump, the teenager and one other group began making fun of them, authorities say.

Surveillance footage shows that the 2 groups began arguing after which each left. Sibley then returned together with his friend.

One witness said Sibley tried to “de-escalate the situation backfired and the suspect “pulled out a knife and just stabbed him after which ran away.”

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez responded to the video, noting that it “shows that Mr. Sibley was rightfully in a position to speak out and protect himself and his friends from anti-gay and anti-black slurs, and that what happened next was was a crime.”

“Defending yourself against and opposing anti-gay or anti-black comments is not a reason for anyone to pick up a gun and do what was done in this case,” Gonzales added.

Sibley was a participant Ailey The organization that released a statement that said: “O’Shea [sic] he had incredible energy in the studio and was loved by his instructors and peers.”

The lack of Sibley is a blow to his “family – he is one of 11 siblings – and [has] upset the gay community in the city.”

According to a report by the Anti-Defamation League and the advocacy group GLAAD, there was a marked increase in violence and harassment against LGBTQ+ communities, including online forums. “There were 101 such events in the first three weeks of June, more than twice as many in the same period a year earlier.”

It was a celebration of life for Sibley held on Tuesday for the Philadelphia native in his hometown, attended by a whole bunch of family and friends.