Harlem Deli Line Dispute Turns Deadly, USPS Worker Fatally Stabbed
HARLEM, NY — A postal worker was fatally stabbed Thursday afternoon following a dispute over a place in line at a Harlem deli, marking the third murder in New York City within the first two days of the new year.
Ray Hodges, a 36-year-old USPS letter carrier assigned to Manhattan, was attacked around 2:40 p.m. inside a deli at 168 Lenox Avenue. Witnesses said the suspect, Jaia Cruz, 24, became enraged after Hodges stepped in front of her in line and stabbed him multiple times, leaving the store covered in blood, according to law enforcement sources.
Hodges was rushed to Harlem Hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to his injuries. Cruz was arrested at the scene, and the knife was recovered. She has been charged with murder.
Postal Service Responds to Tragic Loss
In a statement, a spokesperson for the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) confirmed Hodges’ death. “The Postal Inspection Service can confirm that on January 2, 2025, a United States Postal Service letter carrier assigned to Manhattan was the victim of a homicide,” the spokesperson said, adding that the agency prioritizes the safety of its employees and is working closely with the New York Police Department on the investigation.
Anti-Violence Advocate Speaks Out
Dr. Iesha Sekou, CEO of Street Corner Resources, an organization dedicated to reducing violence, spent the afternoon comforting Hodges’ grieving family at the hospital. Sekou emphasized the growing need for safety measures amid the city’s rising violence.
“It’s heartbreaking that during the holiday season, we live in fear and constantly have to watch our surroundings,” Sekou said. “We need to unite as a stronger and safer city.”
A Violent Start to 2025
Hodges’ murder follows two other homicides in New York City earlier this week.
On January 1, a 50-year-old man was found with fatal neck wounds near West 137th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Harlem. He was pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital.
An hour later, 46-year-old Mario Fowler was shot in both legs outside an apartment building on East 170th Street in the Bronx. Fowler was transported to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died of his injuries.
The three killings have heightened concerns over the city’s escalating violence, with advocates calling for renewed efforts to address safety and crime prevention.
