Teen charged with murder as hate crime in death of O’Shea Sibley, report states

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The suspect arrested in connection with the death of O’Shea Sibley has been charged with murder as a hate crime and criminal possession of a weapon, CBS News recently reported.

The 17-year-old, whose identity is being withheld because he’s a minor, was arrested on Friday, Mayor Eric Adams told the public, the report says.

“This is a city where you are free to express yourself, and that expression should never end with any form of violence,” said Adams. “We’re going to create an environment where the city is safe and one should be allowed to dance, to express themselves, to dress the way they want.”

Police are deeming the charge to be a hate crime after learning Sibley, 28, was a well-known dancer who was part of the ballroom community, which is mostly made up of LGBTQ+ men of color, the report states.

The incident happened in Midwood, Brooklyn, on July 29, when Sibley was stabbed with a single wound.

The report states that Sibley was dancing with friends, while pumping gas at the station, at the time of the stabbing.

NYPD believe that the suspect, who is Muslim, made homophobic and racist comments, the report states.

Sonya Ali, executive director of the Muslim Community Center, expressed to the public that “as Muslims, we are commanded to stand up for justice, even if it means standing against our own selves. We unequivocally condemn the unjust murder of O’Shea.”