Man fatally stabbed at University Heights homeless shelter

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

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.

Police say there was a verbal argument between Worrell and Hunt that quickly escalated.

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

“He attacked the young man while he was sleeping. It opened his jaw,” said Naeem, who lives in a room below where Worrell lived. “Before it happened, everything was quiet. When it happened, it was a tragedy, a very horrible, horrible 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 reserved.

“You come here to get help, start a whole new life and this is what happens,” said Zachary, a shelter resident who knew Worrell.

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

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