RIP O’Shae Sibley – NYC Dancer Murdered for Vogueing Outside Gas Station

On Saturday, July 30th, the world lost another beautiful soul due to hate. O'Shae Sibley was murdered at 28 years old for no other reasons than the fact that he was Queer, Black, and full of love for music.

While the 28-year-old and his friends were listening to Beyonce's Renaissance and vogueing outside of a Brooklyn gas station, a group of men approached them and demanded they stop. The group started using homophobic slurs to Sibley and his friends and reportedly stated that the reason they should stop was that he was Muslim and it offended his religion. From here, Sibley and friend Otis Pena spoke back to them to put them in their place. According to The New York Times, Sibley then said to the group, "Stop saying that. There is nothing wrong with being gay." This is when things apparently went truly sour. One of the men (a 17-year-old with a prior record) took out a knife and began to stab Sibley.

Posting a nearly 15-minute-long heartwrenching video to Facebook, Pena said, "They murdered him because he’s gay, because he stood up for his friends." He added "His name was O’Shae and you all killed him. You all murdered him right in front of me."

Sibley first started to make a name for himself at the age of 14 when he started working with the Philadelphia-based Phildanco, one of the most prestigious dance companies in the country. Phildanco posted to their Instagram a memoriam when Sibley was murdered, as well as info on a GoFundMe that's been formed by O'Shea's father to help cover costs for the funeral.

 

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Moving to New York City from there, Sibley started studying and working with legendary dance company Alvin Ailey. The group also mourned his death, writing, "O’Shae was a cherished and devoted Ailey Extension student. He had incredible energy in the studio and was loved by instructors and fellow classmates." The Ailey Extension is the official dance studio of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Foundation. They added, "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."

"He was really good at adding ballet stuff to a tap number or voguing to a hip hop number," said fellow dancer and friend Jewel, adding, "He really, really loved Soft. He helped to talk me through it and breath life into it." You can see his stunning work below.

Sibley's father wrote that he "was the glue of the family" and that "His spirit lit up every room he stepped in." "His smile was contagious!" he said. "To know him, was to love him. He did not deserve this. Everyone loved his spirit."

In honor of the fact that Sibley was murdered while/for dancing to Beyoncé's music, the musician is honoring Sibley on her website's home page with the words "REST IN POWER O'SHAE SIBLEY" in bold letters in the center of the screen.

The NYC Police Dept is investigating the murder as a potential hate crime, and they have named a 17-year-old suspect who is still at large. The suspect was last seen in a black shirt and red shorts and has dark hair. If you have any information about the stabbing, please call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are confidential.

Rest in Power, O'Shae Sibley.

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