A 24-year-old woman has been charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a postal worker at a Harlem deli. Witnesses say the altercation started over a dispute about whose turn it was to order at the sandwich counter.
Incident Details
The suspect, Jaia Cruz, was arraigned on Friday and is being held without bail in connection with the death of Ray Hodge, a 36-year-old letter carrier. According to a court complaint, Hodge was stabbed multiple times in the chest, neck, and arms on Thursday afternoon while wearing his postal uniform.
Witnesses described a heated argument between Cruz and Hodge at the deli counter. Janet Rich, another customer, told the Daily News that attempts to defuse the situation were unsuccessful. Police found Hodge lying on the floor, critically injured.
Community Reacts to the Tragedy
Ray Hodge was well-known and respected in his Bronx neighborhood and along his postal route. Outside his home, neighbors created a memorial with candles and his postal hat to honor his memory.
Alejandro Alarcon, a resident on Hodge’s delivery route, told the New York Post that Hodge was dedicated to his job and went out of his way to help customers. Just hours before his death, Hodge assisted Alarcon with checking on a package.
Legal Proceedings and Investigation
Cruz’s attorney has not yet issued a public statement. The motive for the attack remains under investigation, though witnesses pointed to the argument over ordering as a potential trigger.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service confirmed that Hodge was a letter carrier assigned to Manhattan and expressed condolences for the loss of their colleague.
