Suspect in deadly stabbing at Harlem deli indicted by grand jury

Argument leads to deadly stabbing at Harlem deli

Ray Hodges, 36, had just delivered a package and decided to take a break and order food at a local deli, according to the New York Post. But while ordering his food at the counter, Jaia Cruz, allegedly walked in and interrupted him, according to a witnesses.

“He [Hodges] was in the store counting his money to check how much he had to order. She [Cruz] came in after him and... she put her bags by the coffee machine and she came to order,” and the deli worker told CBS News New York that Hodge was ordering a sandwich when Cruz became angry and began arguing with him over who was first on line to order.

"I separate them. The mail guy in the front, the lady she was in back. She spit on him, in his face. And mail guy, he got mad. Lemon juice next to the coffee machine, he threw on her. So she took the knife," the deli worker said. "This is so bad. This is my first time seeing this happen in front of my face." 

Hodge suffered multiple stab wounds, and he was pronounced dead at the hospital. 

USPS confirmed he had been a mail carrier since 2022, based out of the Morningside Annex on West 125th Street. In a statement, a representative 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."

Loved ones set up a memorial outside his Bronx home, where they hung up his USPS hat along with photos of the father of two. 

https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/harlem-deli-stabbing-court/