Man is fatally stabbed at hotel

A confrontation in an employee area of a popular seafood restaurant in Copley Square led to homicide when a cook fatally stabbed a co-worker, bringing the Friday night dinner rush to a crashing halt, police said.

Potential patrons and curious passersby gathered last night near the suddenly off-limits Turner Fisheries at Copley Place where a sign read: ``Closed until further notice."

``I'm honestly in shock; I can't believe it," said Amber Mann, who had brought her boyfriend to Turner Fisheries for his 19th birthday dinner.

Boston police said officers received a 911 call at 4:27 p.m. indicating someone had been stabbed at the Westin Copley Place hotel, which houses Turner Fisheries.

Police arrived to find a 30-year-old male suffering from grievous knife wounds. He was rushed to Boston Medical Center.

``He has since died," said Deputy Police Superintendent Daniel Coleman about two hours later. The stabbing occurred in a restricted area for employees in the hotel and restaurant complex, he said.

The suspect, Ivan Sosa, 37, of Dorchester, was arrested and charged with murder, police said.

According to a police official with knowledge of the investigation, the suspect was a cook and the victim a co-worker. Police would not release the victim's name.

Police took several Turner Fisheries employees away for questioning. Pear-shaped bread plates yesterday were unused at tables, as the typically bustling restaurant was empty except for pensive employees, who said they were shocked by the turn of events but refused to comment further.

``The Westin family has lost one of its own valuable team members, and we are extremely saddened by what has transpired," said a statement from the Westin hotel issued last night through the Boston Police Department. ``At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with the family who has experienced this loss. We have reached out to them and will offer any resources, support and counseling they may need during this difficult time.

``The Westin will also have grief counselors on site to talk with any associates and managers who may need counseling," the statement said. ``We will offer these services for as long as needed."

The statement said that at no time were hotel guests in any danger.

The upscale restaurant, on the first floor of the Westin hotel, sits at a busy downtown intersection near Copley Square, and yesterday evening tourists and locals gathered near the scene, seeking details.

``I think a celebrity is coming out," said one passerby taking in the commotion. Another said, ``This isn't the kind of place [where] you usually hear about stabbings."

Janet Reilly , who was in town from Monter ey, Calif., had tried to eat at Turner Fisheries but was turned away.

``You can go anywhere in the world and find people who are angry at one another," she said. ``A stabbing here, a stabbing there; [Boston] still isn't New York."

The killing yesterday was Boston's 52d homicide this year .

Into the evening, police detectives gathered in the back of the restaurant, working on the case while several employees sat at the bar drinking.

Sosa will be arraigned Monday morning in Boston Municipal Court.

Raja Mishra, Michael Levenson, and Maria Cramer of the Globe staff contributed to this report.