The fatal stabbing of New York dancer O’Shea Sibley last week is being prosecuted as a hate crime and the teenage suspect faces adult charges.
Dmitriy Popov on Friday pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder as a hate crime for allegedly stabbing to death the professional dancer who was “voguing” to a Beyoncé song in Coney Island at the time of his death.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Thursday afternoon a grand jury that voted to indict the 17-year-old “good, Christian” teenager.
Popov, a fourth-year student at The Professional Pathways Sheepshead High School, has never had a run-in with the law.
The 17-year-old is due to be charged on Friday. He faces a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum of 25 years in prison.
The fatal stabbing of New York dancer O’Shea Sibley last week is being prosecuted as a hate crime and the teenage suspect faces adult charges. The suspect was identified as the teenager pictured left, wearing red shorts and a black t-shirt
The 28-year-old’s death is now being investigated as a hate crime. Dmitriy Popov was charged Thursday with second-degree murder for allegedly stabbing the professional dancer who was dancing a Beyoncé song in Coney Island at the time of his death
The Brooklyn prosecutor has assured the public that the case against Popov, whose name has not yet been officially released because he is a minor, is being taken “very seriously”.
“They were themselves, happily dancing to Beyoncé music at a gas station in Brooklyn,” Gonzalez said Thursday.
“We pledge to the family that we will pursue a vigorous and thorough prosecution.”
“Resisting and arguing against being an anti-gay or anti-black comment is not a reason for someone to take up arms and do what was done in this case,” Gonzalez added.
Gonzalez said the entire community was affected by the tragic incident.
“Hate crimes have an impact on the victim but also on the community,” he continued. “It not only robs the family, but an entire community of a sense of security and security.”
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Thursday afternoon a grand jury that voted to indict the 17-year-old “good, Christian” teenager
The argument continued to the left of the parking lot, where O’Shae can be seen
O’Shae was a talented dancer and choreographer from Philadelphia
Sibley’s father raised his arm to the sky in memory of his son during the celebration of life surrounded by family and friends
Popov’s lawyer dismissed the claim that his client was a Muslim, which was initially reported by witnesses.
He claimed the teenager was a “good Christian boy” whose parents immigrated to Brooklyn from Russia.
Popov’s defense attorney, Mark Pollard, also said police did not have the weapon used to kill the victim.
He told PIX 11 that police had not recovered the knife Popov allegedly used to kill Sibley.
A vigil was held on Friday, with many performing their own repertoire, to honor the beloved talented dancer who was killed in a hate crime
Sibley’s parents stand over their son’s coffin as he bids his last farewell during viewings at The Met Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Tuesday
A friend of Sibley’s lays a bouquet of flowers during the vigil to commemorate the young dancer
Hundreds of mourners gathered Tuesday to pay tribute to Sibley.
Sibley, 28, fashioned and danced shirtless to a Beyoncé song while filling up his car at a gas station in Midwood, Brooklyn before he was killed.
Surveillance footage reportedly showed a group of teenagers shouting homophobic slurs and anti-black statements at Sibley and his friends, according to surveillance footage from ABC News Chicago.
Video from a surveillance camera showed the argument had broken up and both groups had walked away when Sibley and his friends suddenly returned and crossed a parking lot to confront the white 17-year-old, who was recording on his phone, the Associated Press reported.
In the video, Sibley could be seen following the teenager and then pouncing on him. The stabbing happened from a clear view of the cameras.
After an exchange of words, officials said the teenager pulled a knife and stabbed Sibley.
The suspect, whose identity has not been released because he is a minor, turned himself in to police. Brooklyn prosecutors charged him with murder, hate crime murder and criminal firearms possession.
More than 200 people attended Sibley’s funeral in his hometown of Philadelphia at the historic Opera House on Tuesday.
Sibley’s somber parents, Jake Kelly and mother Onetha Sibley, walk down the aisle while celebrating the life of their son O’Shea Sibley at The Met in Philadelphia on Tuesday
Onederful Ancrum, a dancer from Philadanco, performs during the celebration of life ceremony to honor the shock death of her friend
Heartbroken family members hold blue and white floral riffs during Tuesday’s celebration of life as they mourn the loss of their loved one
Friends of Sibley gather near his coffin to say their final goodbyes
Emotional: Beyonce has now honored Sibley with a tribute on her website, with a simple black and white message that read: ‘REST IN POWER O’SHAE SIBEY’
Sibley had moved to New York to pursue his career as a dancer. He performed with the dance company Philadanco and danced to celebrate his LGBTQ+ identity.
A celebration of life ministry followed at the Met in Philadelphia. Sibley’s father, Jake Kelly, was caught looking at his son in his coffin as he said his last goodbyes.
Sidley was buried in Fernwood Cemetary in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania. Sibley’s grieving mother, Onetha Sibley, places her hand on her son’s royal blue coffin surrounded by loved ones.
After his senseless death, tributes poured in from everyone, including from filmmaker Spike Lee and musician Beyoncé. Spike Lee posted the “Rest in Power” Instagram message.
The Queen Bee posted the same message on her website after learning that Sibley and friends were listening to her music before the fatal attack.