Roberto Duncanson
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
Roberto Duncanson
Duncanson, 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?”2) and started shouting anti-gay slurs at Duncanson.3) Willock accused Williams of looking at him, in a way he interpreted as flirting. It's unclear how Willock knew Duncanson was gay.4)
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.5)
The Murder
As Duncanson kept walking, Willock followed and continued to yell anti-gay epithets at Duncanson. Willock then started a fist fight with Duncanson.6) The fight ended when Willock took out a knife and stabbed Duncanson as he tried to walk away.7) Paramedics found Duncanson on the sidewalk.8) He had been stabbed in the back four times.9)
The Aftermath
Duncanson 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.10)
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