Roberto Duncanson (1987 - May 12, 2007) was an African American gay man from Brooklyn, New York. On May 12, 2007, he was stabbed to death by Omar Willock, who claimed Duncanson had flirted with him.
Background
editDuncanson, 20, worked at CVS in Chelsea, New York, for 18 months. According to his mother, he had plans to go to Miami to celebrate his 21st birthday, and was planning to go back to school to become an x-ray technician.[1]
On May 12, 2007, Duncanson and Omar Willock, 17, passed each other on St. Mark's Avenue in Crown Heights. Willock reportedly became enraged, yelled "What are you looking at, f----r?"[1]and started shouting anti-gay slurs at Duncanson.[2] Willock accused Williams of looking at him, in a way he interpreted as flirting. It's unclear how Willock knew Duncanson was gay. [3]
Duncanson walked away, and continued on his way to visit a cousin on Brooklyn Avenue. Willock allegedly followed Duncanson to his cousin's house, and waited for him to come out. When Duncanson emerged from the house, Willock continued following him[4]
The Murder
editAs Duncanson kept walking, Willock followed and continued to yell anti-gay epithets at Duncanson. Willock then started a fist fight with Duncanson[2]. The fight ended when Willock took out a knife and stabbed Duncanson as he tried to walk away.[5] Paramedics found Duncanson on the sidewalk.[6] He had been stabbed in the back four times.[2]
The Aftermath
editDuncanson was taken to Kings County Hospital, where he died an hour later. Willocks was arrested, and was indicted on June 14, 2007. Willock was charged with second degree murder and second degree murder as a hate crime. [7]
References
edit- ^ a b Yaniv, Oran (2007-06-15). "Hate crime-rap for teen in fatal stab". The New York Daily News. Gay.Com. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c "Murder of gay man considered hate crime". The New York Daily News. The Associated Press. 2007-06-15. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Murder Charge in Brooklyn Gay Killing". PlanetOut.Com. 2007-06-15. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Hate Crime Added To Murder Compaint". 365Gay.Com. 2007-06-15. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Metro Briefing: New York: Brooklyn: Youth Accused of Bias Killing". The New York Times. 2007-06-15. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Teen cited 'gay panic' in Brooklyn slaying". The Advocate. 2007-06-16. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "Teenager Indicted in Alleged Hate Killing". The New York Sun. 2007-06-14. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help)