NEW YORK CITY – A woman was charged with murder after a postal service employee was stabbed to death Thursday inside a Harlem deli in what police said started over who was next in line to order.

Jaia Cruz, 25, was charged with murder in the second degree in the death of 36-year-old Ray Hodges.

Cruz is charged with murder in the second degree.

According to the NYPD, the attack happened around 2:30 p.m. inside Joe’s Grocery on Malcolm X Blvd. and W 118th St.

Hodges, an on-duty postal worker, was found with stab wounds to the body and rushed to Harlem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

Police say the stabbing followed an altercation over a spot in line. A knife was recovered at the scene, they said.

Neighbors tell FOX 5 NY that they ran into Hodges all the time on his daily route and are in complete disbelief that this happened.

“I know the guys who deliver mail and just like that, he’s gone,” said Uzo Guchisachi. “It’s very scary. Anytime you wake up, anything can happen.”

In a statement, the United States Postal Inspection Service said:

“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 suspect was apprehended and is currently in custody. USPIS 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. To protect the integrity of this investigation, we cannot provide further details at this time. If your viewers have information, please contact postal inspectors at 212-330-2400.”