By Tiffany Williams –
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — More than two years after a summer night turned deadly at a Brooklyn gas station, the man convicted in the fatal stabbing of O’Shae Sibley has been sentenced to prison.
Dmitriy Popov, 20, of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, was sentenced to 20 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision after being convicted of first-degree manslaughter as a hate crime, second-degree menacing, second-degree aggravated harassment and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon following a jury trial.
The sentence was imposed by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dena Douglas.
Prosecutors said the case stemmed from the fatal stabbing of O’Shae Sibley, 28, on the night of July 29, 2023.
District Attorney Gonzalez said the crime was fueled by bias.
“O’Shae Sibley was simply being himself – a black gay man enjoying a summer evening – but his mere existence caused this defendant to curse, harass and ultimately kill him. Everyone in Brooklyn must be allowed to live as they wish and love who they want, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who harm others out of bias and hate. I hope today’s sentence will bring some closure to O’Shae’s many loved ones and to the entire LGTBQ+ community, which has been shaken by this tragic and deeply upsetting crime.”
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred at approximately 11:06 p.m. at a Mobil gas station located at 1935 Coney Island Avenue in the Midwood section of Brooklyn.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that O’Shae Sibley and four friends had stopped at the gas station after spending the day at the beach.
Still dressed in beachwear, the group exited their vehicle to stretch while music played nearby, with one member of the group dancing outside the vehicle.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Dmitriy Popov and two associates exited the gas station store and directed homophobic and racist slurs toward the group, saying, in sum and substance, “Get that gay s–t out of here.”
Prosecutors said O’Shae Sibley attempted to calm the situation.
According to the evidence, he and his friends responded, in substance, “You don’t know us, we’re just having a good time and enjoying our lives. It’s all respect, we’re allowed to be here just like you.”
The District Attorney’s Office said the defendant’s two companions eventually left the area.
According to prosecutors, Dmitriy Popov remained outside the gas station store, recording on his cell phone while continuing to antagonize the group with hateful remarks.
Evidence presented at trial showed that when O’Shae Sibley and two friends confronted the defendant, Dmitriy Popov reached into his pocket, pointed a knife at one of Sibley’s friends and threatened to stab him.
Prosecutors said Dmitriy Popov then stabbed O’Shae Sibley in the side of the chest, puncturing his heart.
O’Shae Sibley was transported to Maimonides Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Following a jury trial, Dmitriy Popov was convicted last month of first-degree manslaughter as a hate crime, second-degree menacing, second-degree aggravated harassment and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
On Tuesday, Justice Dena Douglas sentenced him to 20 years in state prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision.
The sentence brings the criminal case to its conclusion in Brooklyn Supreme Court, more than two years after a confrontation at a neighborhood gas station ended in the death of a 28-year-old man and resulted in a hate crime conviction.