The NYPD is working to determine whether a fatal stabbing over the weekend was a hate crime.

It happened in Midwood near a mobile gas station on Coney Island Avenue and Avenue P at 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Surveillance video shows an argument between two groups of men that witnesses say led to the fatal stabbing of 28-year-old Oshae Sibley.


What You Need To Know

  • The NYPD is working to determine whether a fatal stabbing over the weekend was a hate crime

  • It happened in Midwood near a mobile gas station on Coney Island Avenue and Avenue P at 1:30 a.m. Sunday

  • Surveillance video shows an argument between two groups of men that witnesses say led to the fatal stabbing of 28-year-old Oshae Sibley

  • Witnesses said the group of men who were arguing with Sibley and his friends told them to stop dancing because it offended their faith

“He said that some guys over here were dancing,” Sayeda Haide said, referring to a gas station worker who told her what happened when she went to fill her tank up at the gas station after the stabbing.

“Some guys had a problem with them dancing and they just started arguing, fighting and he tried breaking up the fight,” Haide added.

“After a few fights and arguing, he pulled out a knife and stabbed him,” Haide said.

People who said on social media that they’re Sibley’s friends and relatives posted about the stabbing, saying Sibley was a professional dancer who identified as gay.

Witnesses said the group of men who were arguing with Sibley and his friends told them to stop dancing because it offended their faith.

Police said the crime has been referred to their hate crimes unit and will determine if this fits the criteria for a hate crime.

“This is my neighborhood and I have never witnessed anything like this or somewhere that’s close to home, so this really hits close to home,” Haide said.

Meanwhile, neighborhood residents say it’s generally safe here, and crimes like this are unusual.

“I have younger daughters in their 20s, and they feel safe when they come home by themselves late at night,” Chava Levy, who said she has lived in the neighborhood for 40 years, said.

“Generally there’s a lot of activity,” Gabriel Shaya said. “Normally all year round, you don’t hear anything crazy.”

Anyone with information about this crime can contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-8477.