Man fatally stabbed at University Heights homeless shelter

Police say a 25-year-old man was fatally stabbed Sunday afternoon at a homeless shelter in University Heights.

Detectives say officers were called to 237 Landing Road just after 3 p.m.

Police say Eric Worrell was stabbed in the neck by another resident, Christopher Hunt.

According to police, there was a verbal argument between Worrell and Hunt that quickly escalated.

People living at the shelter, however, say they did not hear an argument and that Worrell was sleeping in his room when Hunt entered.

“He attacked the young man while he was sleeping. He cut his jaw wide open,” said Naeem, who lives in a room below where Worrell lived. “Before it happened, everything was quiet. When it happened, it was a tragedy, very terrible, terrible sight, blood everywhere.”

Shelter residents say Hunt had a history of problems with other residents in the building.

Worrell’s neighbors described him as quiet and kept to himself.

“You come here to help yourself, to start a whole new life, and that’s what happens,” said Zachary, a shelter resident who met Worrell.

The Bowery Residents’ Committee operates the building. It is a mixed-use building that consists of 200 homeless shelter beds and more than 100 units of affordable low-income housing.

Shelter residents say the attack has left them traumatized and worried for their own safety.