MASTIC, NY — A Mastic man told Suffolk police he “snapped” just before he stabbed his roommate in a motel room on Friday night, according to the felony complaint filed in a Suffolk court.
Philip Walker, 56, of Mastic, told Suffolk police detectives something in him “snapped, pulled out a knife and kept hitting” Jimmy Vaughn, 63, causing his death at the Shirley Motel, the complaint states.
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Vaughn was stabbed several times in the torso, according to the complaint.
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Walker’s arrest Sunday on second-degree murder is based in part on his statements and that of a witness, according to the complaint.
A witness called 911 to report Walker had stabbed Vaughn inside of a room at the Shirley Motel on Montauk Highway at around 5 p.m., Suffolk prosecutors said, adding that the pair were both living in a group home at the time of the incident.
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When paramedics arrived, Vaughn was found outside of the room, bleeding from the left side of his chest and abdomen and he was taken to Long Island Community Hospital in East Patchogue where he was pronounced dead, prosecutors said.
Video surveillance showed Walker entering and leaving from the motel room where Vaughn was stabbed, and Walker allegedly fled after the stabbing, but was arrested at a family member’s home in North Amityville, according to prosecutors.
“This defendant allegedly killed Jimmy Vaughn in cold blood,” District Attorney Ray Tierney said.
“I thank the prosecutors and the Suffolk County Homicide Squad for their swift investigation and apprehension of this defendant, who will now be brought to justice.
His attorney, Eric Besso of Sayville, could not be reached for comment.
At Walker’s arraignment, Besso requested “reasonable bail” by saying that his family might be able to post it on his behalf, Newsday reported. Walker has been unable to work due to a disability from a car crash, according to the outlet.
Walker was ordered remanded to the Suffolk County Correctional Facility without bail during the pendency of the case.
Walker is due back in court on July 7.
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