64-year-old man dies after shelter altercation in Williamsburg

A 64-year-old man died after a fight with another resident at a shelter in East Williamsburg. The incident happened early Sunday morning when the two men got into an argument around 7:40 a.m. When police arrived at the scene on Varet Street, they found the victim in bed, in cardiac arrest, and bleeding. Emergency medics worked to resuscitate him and took him to Woodhull Hospital, where he later died. The man accused of the assault, Phillip Stevens, 62, has been charged with misdemeanor assault. He was released without bail, but more serious charges may follow pending the results of an autopsy. Police are still waiting to confirm the cause of death. Stevens has a history of criminal activity, with eight prior arrests and time spent in state prison. His most recent prison term was for five years for criminal mischief, which ended in October 2018.