Stabbing of gay man at gas station being investigated as a hate crime as Beyonce pays tribute - live updates
A teenager is being sought after 28-year-old professional dancer O’Shea Sibley was stabbed to death while vogueing to Beyonce at a gas station in Brooklyn.
Mr Sibley, who was working as a dancer in New York and Philadelphia, was voguing at the gas station on Saturday night when he was reportedly approached by a group of men who told him to stop.
Witnesses have revealed that the group said they didn’t like that Mr Sibley and his friends were dancing and they made homophobic comments.
Police said later that a 17-year-old boy in a black shirt and red shorts brought out a knife and stabbed Mr Sibley in the chest. He died from his injuries.
Mr Sibley’s friend Otis Pena spoke about his last moments in a video shared on Facebook.
“They killed him right in front of me,” he said. “I see him wobbling and I had to run to him and hold his wound as blood is dripping on my hands, as blood is on my clothes.”
A hate crimes investigation has now been launched.
Meanwhile, Beyonce paid tribute to the dancer by writing “Rest in power O’Shea Sibley” on her website.
Key Points
Beyoncé honours dancer who was fatally stabbed while dancing to her music: ‘Rest in power’
Gay man is fatally stabbed while dancing to Beyoncé at Brooklyn gas station
‘O’Shae was the salt to my pepper, the peanut butter to my jelly'
20:30 , Bevan Hurley
The duo of Otis Pena and O’Shae Sibley had been close friends for 15 years, he said, and had always had each other’s backs.
“O’Shae was the salt to my pepper, the peanut butter to my jelly, and y’all killed him. Y’all killed my bro. O’Shae was a beacon of light that influenced everybody.”
An NYPD spokesperson said in a statement they responded to a 911 call at the Mobil station at 11.14pm on 29 July.
“Upon arrival, officers observed a 28-year-old male with a stab wound to the torso. EMS responded and removed the victim to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased,” the spokesperson said.
What happened?
20:00 , Bevan Hurley
Otis Pena, who was with Sibley when he was killed, said in an emotional Facebook video posted on the night of the stabbing that a group of friends were celebrating his birthday when they had stopped a few blocks from his home to fill up their car.
He said he and Sibley were “just pumping gas and listening to [Beyoncé’s album] Renaissance and having a good time”.
Mr Pena said that as the confrontation ensued, he saw Sibley wobbling on his feet after being stabbed, and rushed over to try to administer care.
“I’m trying to put pressure on the wound, and there’s blood squirting everywhere… I’m covered in his blood,” Mr Pena said through tears. “They killed my brother right in front of me.”
“O’Shae was just trying to tell people ‘we may be gay’ and they stabbed him right in the heart,” he continued, breaking down.
“They murdered him because he was gay, because he stood up for his friends. All because he wanted people to know that we are gay.”
Sibley pronounced dead shortly after being taken to hospital
19:30 , Bevan Hurley
Sibley’s friends tried to apply pressure to the wound, and police arrived at 11.15pm to find Sibley bleeding heavily on a sidewalk.
He was taken to Maimonides Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after.
The NYPD have reportedly identified a 17-year-old suspect who fled the scene, but are yet to make any arrests.
The department’s hate crimes unit is investigating Sibley’s violent death as a possible anti-LGBT+ hate crime.
The killing has attracted national attention due to its alleged homophobic nature, as attacks on the LGBT+ community are increasing.
Beyoncé, who was performing nearby at New York’s MetLife stadium on the night Sibley was killed, paid tribute to the dancer, choreographer and model, who family say was cut down “in his prime”.
O’Shae Sibley was stabbed to death for the crime of being ‘Black, gay and dancing’
19:00 , Bevan Hurley
O’Shae Sibley had been out celebrating a friend’s birthday when the group stopped at a Mobil gas station in Coney Island in Brooklyn on 29 July.
On a steamy Saturday night, the 28-year-old professional dancer took off his shirt and was “voguing” — a dance form popularised by the LGBT+ community — to Beyoncé’s Renaissance album with a friend on the station forecourt.
Just after 11pm, a separate group of young men allegedly began hurling homophobic insults saying that they didn’t like “gay dancing” in their neighbourhood, according to eyewitnesses.
Sibley confronted the men, surveillance footage recovered from the gas station shows.
After briefly separating, the clash turned violent, and Sibley was stabbed in the heart during a scuffle.
Read more:
O’Shae Sibley was stabbed to death for the crime of being ‘Black, gay and dancing’
‘Being a New Yorker means knowing and loving people of all backgrounds,’ mayor says
18:30 , Gustaf Kilander
New York Mayor Eric Adams said that “O’Shae Sibley’s life and beautiful spirit were cut short by homophobia. Bigotry can never take root in our city.”
“Being a New Yorker means knowing and loving people of all backgrounds. We’ll bring justice for O’Shae’s family and loved ones. His dancing joy will live on,” he added.
‘Dancing and expressing yourself openly is a beautiful act of love,’ NY AG says
18:00 , Gustaf Kilander
New York Attorney General Letitia James tweeted on Tuesday that “Dancing and expressing yourself openly is a beautiful act of love, not a reason to be murdered. O’Shae Sibley should still be alive, and my heart is with his friends, family, and the #LGBTQ+ community. Justice must be served”.
‘He was goofy and funny and full of life and energy'
17:30 , Gustaf Kilander
Director and choregrapher Kemar Jewel told the New York Daily News that Mr Sibley moved to New York not long after himself because he liked how the city was alive 24/7.
“We just enjoy the vibe better because we’re night owls and love to go out to the club and there was just more to do. And also we’re also all professional artists,” Mr Jewel told the paper.
“He was goofy and funny and full of life and energy. And he always knew how to make people smile. I think that those are his best attributes — that he made everyone smile,” he added.
“He also volunteered at dance studios to help teach folks. He volunteered at youth centers and he offered free classes and stuff. He definitely loved to give back,” Mr Jewel said.
‘He was excited to be outside on the front lines, using his body as a way of protest'
17:00 , Gustaf Kilander
Director and choregrapher Kemar Jewel told the New York Daily News that Sibley was an advocate.
“He was out at a lot of marches, a lot of protests,” Jewel told the paper. “He was excited to be outside on the front lines, using his body as a way of protest.”
Sibley moved to Brooklyn in 2019, before which he was part of Philidanco, a dance company in Philadelphia.
“He was a member of the principal cast of the Philadelphia dance company,” Jewel said. “In the art world, in Philadelphia, that’s very prestigious.”
‘You won’t always find dancers that are good at mixing styles seamlessly’
16:40 , Gustaf Kilander
Director and choregrapher Kemar Jewel told the New York Daily News that Sibley “was really good at adding ballet stuff to a tap number or voguing to a hip hop number”.
“You probably can find dancers that are versatile, but you won’t always find dancers that are good at mixing styles seamlessly,” Jewel said.
Sibley appeared in Jewel’s 2021 video Soft: A Love Letter to Black Queer Men.
“He really, really loved Soft,” Jewel told the paper. “He helped to talk me through it and breath life into it.”
‘Despite homophobes’ best efforts, gay joy is not crime'
16:20 , Gustaf Kilander
New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal tweeted on Monday that he was “Heartbroken and enraged to learn about O’Shae Sibley’s death this weekend in New York. Despite homophobes’ best efforts, gay joy is not crime. Hate-fueled attacks are”.
VIDEO: Fatal stabbing at Brooklyn gas station
16:00 , Gustaf Kilander
Sibley described as ‘gentle spirit'
15:40 , Olivia Hebert
Mr Sibley’s aunt Tondra Sibley described him to Gothamist as a “gentle spirit” who had moved to New York City to chase his dreams. She demanded justice for her nephew, deeming his death “senseless”.
Mr Sibley’s father Jake Kelly has since started a GoFundMe page to raise funds for funeral costs.
While no arrests have been made as of Tuesday afternoon, police are investigating the stabbing as a possible hate crime. The NYPD is asking anyone with information to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
Brawl broke out 11pm Saturday
15:20 , Olivia Hebert
A group of men approached the dancing men and asked them to stop vogueing.
According to surveillance footage obtained by the New York Post, it was around 11pm that a brawl broke out between the two groups. Sibley’s friends rendered him first aid following the stabbing and called 911. Sibley was taken to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Local law enforcement are searching for a 17-year-old boy who allegedly told Sibley and his friends that the sight of them dancing shirtless offended him and his friends.
One of Sibley’s friends, Otis Pena, posted in a Facebook video: “They hated us cause we are gay!”
Sibley’s family, friends, and neighbours have condemned the violence that played a part in the dancer’s untimely death.
“I’m so angry, really angry and that’s a life lost over a simple thing,” Sibley’s neighbour Beckenbaur Hamilton told CBS. “They could have argued and could’ve talked and just left. They didn’t have to bring the violence in.”
Known for his joyful presence, Sibley was a member of modern dance company Ailey Extension and had performed at Lincoln Center.
The organisation released a statement saying: “We are shocked and heartbroken that O’Shae’s life has been taken by senseless violence and extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”
‘His spirit lit up every room he stepped in,’ father says
15:00 , Andrea Blanco
Sibley had performed at Lincoln Center and was a member of the modern dance company Ailey Extension. The organisation issued a statement mourning SIbley’s death, noting that he was loved by his instructors and fellow classmates.
“O’Shae was a cherished and devoted Ailey Extension student,” the release said. “We are shocked and heartbroken that O’Shae’s life has been taken by senseless violence and extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
Sibley’s father Jake Kelly has started a GoFundMe page to raise funds for funeral costs.
“O’Shae not only was the glue to this family, he was a great dancer and performer for the majority of his life,” the grieving father wrote in the fundraiser’s description. “His spirit lit up every room he stepped in. His smile was contagious.”
VIDEO: Fatal stabbing at Brooklyn gas station being investigated as possible hate crime
14:45 , Gustaf Kilander
‘I’m so angry, really angry and that’s a life lost over a simple thing'
14:30 , Andrea Blanco
Sibley’s neighbour Beckenbaur Hamilton said Sibley was known for his joyful character and elaborate dance performances.
“[I’m] sad. I’m so angry, really angry and that’s a life lost over a simple thing. They could have argued and could’ve talked and just left. They didn’t have to bring the violence in,” Mr Hamilton told CBS.
Sibley had performed at Lincoln Center and was a member of the modern dance company Ailey Extension. The organisation issued a statement mourning SIbley’s death, noting that he was loved by his instructors and fellow classmates.
‘I’m covered in his blood. I was holding his stab wounds'
14:15 , Andrea Blanco
Mr Sibley’s friend Otis Pena said he was celebrating his birthday with his friends and the group intended to drive to Mr Pena’s home, which is located two blocks from the crime scene, shortly before the professional dancer was stabbed in the chest.
“I’m covered in his blood. I was holding his stab wounds,” Mr Pena said through tears in a Facebook live after Sibley’s stabbing. “I was trying to put pressure on the wound and there was blood squirting everywhere ... They killed him right in my arms.”
Mr Sibley’s neighbour Beckenbaur Hamilton said Mr Sibley was known for his joyful character and elaborate dance performances.
‘They killed him right in front of me'
13:59 , Gustaf Kilander
A teenager is being sought after 28-year-old professional dancer O’Shea Sibley was stabbed to death while vogueing to Beyonce at a gas station in Brooklyn.
Mr Sibley, who was working as a dancer in New York and Philadelphia, was voguing at the gas station on Saturday night when he was reportedly approached by a group of men who told him to stop.
Witnesses have revealed that the group said they didn’t like that Mr Sibley and his friends were dancing and they made homophobic comments.
Police said later that a 17-year-old boy in a black shirt and red shorts brought out a knife and stabbed Sibley in the chest. He died from his injuries.
Mr Sibley’s friend Otis Pena spoke about his last moments in a video shared on Facebook.
“They killed him right in front of me,” he said. “I see him wobbling and I had to run to him and hold his wound as blood is dripping on my hands, as blood is on my clothes.”
A hate crimes investigation has now been launched.
Tony Morrison, the senior director of communications at GLAAD, said: “This young man’s death is horrific and really just shows the state of being an LGBTQ person in America today.”
Mr Morrison said violence against LGBT+ individuals is on the rise.
“We’ve seen harassment, vandalism, and it’s now manifesting in physical harm - in this case death,” he said, according to NBC.
Beyoncé honours dancer who was fatally stabbed while dancing to her music: ‘Rest in power’
13:31 , Olivia Hebert
Beyoncé has posted a tribute honouring 28-year-old professional dancer O’Shae Sibley after he was fatally stabbed while vogueing to her songs.
Vogueing is a form of dance that originated in New York’s Black queer and trans ballroom community, and was popularised by pop stars like Madonna, and reality competition juggernaut RuPaul’s Drag Race. A hate crimes investigation is now underway into the stabbing of Sibley, who was gay.
The pop icon took to her website on 1 August to write: “REST IN POWER O’SHEA SIBLEY.”
Sibley had been dancing to the singer’s latest studio album Renaissance, which is widely regarded as a love letter to the queer community and described by Entertainment Weekly as a “radical re-envisioning of the American Dream for the Black, queer, and trans folk who inspired it”.
The attack took place late Saturday night, when Sibley and a group of friends stopped at a Mobil gas station in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of Coney Island to fill up their tank. As they waited, Sibley began to dance to Beyoncé’s Renaissance.
Read more:
Beyoncé honours dancer who was fatally stabbed while dancing to her music
Gay man is fatally stabbed while dancing to Beyoncé at Brooklyn gas station
13:25 , Andrea Blanco
A hate crimes investigation is underway after a gay man was stabbed to death while dancing at a gas station in New York City.
O’Shae Sibley, a 28-year-old professional dancer, was at a station in the Brooklyn neighbourhood of Coney Island with friends late Saturday night when the deadly attack unfolded, the NYPD said.
The group had stopped to fill up their tank when another group of men approached them and told them to stop vogueing — a type of stylised modern dancing — to Beyoncé’s Renaissance .
Surveillance video obtained by The New York Post shows that an altercation broke out between the two groups around 11pm. Following Sibley’s stabbing, his friends rendered first aid and he was then taken to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The NYPD’s hate crimes task force is leading the investigation into Sibley’s killing. Law enforcement is now seeking to arrest a 17-year-old man who had allegedly told Sibley and his friends that he was offended because the men were dancing shirtless, according to the Post.
Read more:
Gay man is fatally stabbed while dancing to Beyoncé at Brooklyn gas station
