Bussiness
US postal worker fatally stabbed inside New York deli while ordering sandwich
A woman is in custody, and a United States Postal Service worker is dead after a brazen daytime stabbing attack inside a New York City deli Thursday.
The New York Police Department told USA TODAY officers responded to the deli on Lenox Avenue between 118th and 119th streets about 2:30 p.m. for a report of an assault. Arriving officers said they found a man suffering from multiple stab wounds.
The man, identified by the NYPD as Ray Hodges, 36, of the Bronx, was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police said they arrested Jaia Cruz, 24, of Manhattan, on a first-degree murder charge in connection to the killing.
US postal worker fatally stabbed inside Harlem deli
On Friday, the USPS told USA TODAY Hodges was a letter carrier assigned to Manhattan.
U.S. Inspection Postal spokesperson Michael Martel said Hodges began working for USPS in July 2022.
Martel released the following statement on behalf of USPS:
“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. To protect the integrity of this investigation, we cannot provide further details at this time.”
An argument over ‘who was first in line to order’
A deli worker told CBS News New York Hodges was ordering a sandwich when a person at the counter began arguing with him over “who was first in line to order.” The woman, the outlet reported, pulled out a knife and stabbed Hodges in the torso.
It was not immediately known whether the suspect in the case knew the victim, had posted bond Friday, or had obtained an attorney in the case.
The federal agency is asking anyone with information about the case to call 1-877-876-2455.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
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