Man Charged With Murder 2nd Degree In Connection With Long Island Motel Room Slaying: Cops

SHIRLEY, NY — Suffolk detectives arrested a man in connection with the stabbing death inside of a Shirley Motel room on Friday night, police said.

Philip Walker, 56, of Mastic, was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the stabbing death of James Vaughn, 60, of Mastic, police said.

Walker will be held overnight at the 3rd Precinct in Bay Shore for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on Monday, according to police.

It was not immediately clear if Walker has legal representation.

Officers responded to the Montauk Highway motel after a 911 caller reported a man was "stabbed during a fight in his motel room" at around 5 p.m., police initially said, adding that "there was a group of people inside the room when the altercation occurred."

Police could not say why Vaughn was staying at the motel.

He was taken to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue where he was later pronounced dead, according to police.

The investigation into his slaying is continuing, police said.

The hotel's manager, Dejas Ahir, told Newsday he did not hear anything and only learned about the stabbing when he saw an ambulance arriving at the scene to treat Vaughn.

“I am not sure what was the problem,” Ahir told the outlet. “This is the first time I am looking at this problem.”

Anyone with information about Vaughn's killing can call detectives from Suffolk's Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS, a confidential police hotline. All calls will remain anonymous, according to police.