Ray Hodges USPS postal worker stabbed to death by Jaia Cruz after cutting line at Harlem bodega. Slaying occurred after argument about who ordered sandwich first.
A US Postal Service worker was stabbed to death by a woman after allegedly cutting in line at a Harlem, NYC deli, Thursday afternoon according to reports.
Ray Hodges, 38, an on-duty USPS letter carrier assigned to Manhattan, was knifed multiple times inside the deli at 168 Lenox Ave. around 2:40 p.m., authorities said.
The suspect who was identified as 24 year old knife wielding woman, Jaia Cruz, according to witnesses went ‘awol’ after Hodges ‘stepped’ in line in front of her, ‘gutting’ the man in the stomach. The suspect proceeded to stab the victim multiple times in the back, torso, arms and neck before collapsing on the ground ABC7NY reported.
USPS worker stabbed to death over sandwich order
The man’s blood was smeared all over the floors and glass door the nytimes reported.
Hodges was rushed to Harlem Hospital, where he mortally succumbed to his injuries, cops said.
The stabbing followed an argument over who was first in line, according to a law enforcement official.
Cruz, was arrested and the knife was recovered at the scene. The 24 year old has since been charged with murder. Cruz had no prior criminal offence.
NYC: “Was it over a sandwich? Why did you stab him?” Questions heard as Female Suspect ARRESTED in connection to fatal stabbing of US Postal Worker in Harlem Deli.
Police say Jaia Cruz has been arrested aftee allegedly stabbing and killing a US Postal Worker earlier today in… https://t.co/MNGyeJX6wL pic.twitter.com/cSijaEKpDu
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) January 3, 2025
‘I had wished happy new year hours earlier…’
USPS confirmed Hodge was a letter carrier assigned to Manhattan.
In a statement, a representative for USPS wrote, ‘The Postal Inspection Service takes matters involving the safety and wellbeing of postal service employees as a top priority. We are working diligently with the New York City Police Department on this investigation.’
Charisse Artis, a letter carrier who used to work with Mr. Hodges, went to the bodega on Thursday evening after hearing about the stabbing.
She described her former co-worker as ‘very quiet, very laid back,’ adding, ‘Sometimes you didn’t even know he was there.’
She had wished the man happy new year only hours earlier that morning she told the nytimes.
The slaying marks the third murder in NYC in just 2 days of the new year.
