NEW YORK CITY, NY - The transgender suspect- who is a male but identifies as female- accused of fatally stabbing a postal service worker in a New York City deli line over who was next in line reportedly has a violent criminal history.
According to Fox News, the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Jaia Cruz, a male to female transgender as noted by police, has been charged with second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of on-duty letter carrier Ray Hodges inside a Harlem deli as the postal service worker was getting his lunch. Cruz's given name is Alvin Cruz.
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has confirmed that Hodges was the victim in the unprovoked incident. Hodges, who was 36-years-old, was taken to Harlem Hospital where he was pronounced dead. According to The New York Post, Cruz has a history of knife violence, including threatening to "cut" one of his previous victims.
Law enforcement sources told The Post that Cruz was arrested at least five times before he allegedly carried out the ruthless killing of Hodges. In July 2020, Cruz was caught waving an open box cutter at another person in Midtown West and shouting, "I'm going to cut him." Cruz was ordered to get on the ground, but refused.
He was then pulled away by officers and arrested for resisting arrest. Two weeks later, Cruz was arrested again for a 4:30 a.m. tag-team robbery where he and another individual used knives to steal a man's phone and wallet after the victim invited the pair to "hang out."
Cruz, a repeat offender, is now facing murder charges for fatally stabbing Hodges. Sources familiar with the incident said that Hodges skipped the line directly in front of Cruz, inciting the knife-wielding woman. She then allegedly "gutted him in the stomach." He reportedly spit on Hodges during the incident as well.
FOX 5 reported that neighbors who run into Hodges all the time on his daily route are in complete disbelief that this happened. Uzo Guchisachi said, "I know the guys who deliver mail and just like that, he's gone. It's very scary. Anytime you wake up, anything can happen." CBS News reported that local activist Dr. Iesha Sekou, with Street Corner Resources, said she comforted the victim's mother at the hospital.
She said, "A mother never, never expects to bury her child. She's still in a little shock. She just said, I didn't believe that my son would be dead. And I don't think any mother is read for this." Harlem resident Cecilia Chanu said, "It's just so unfortunate this is happening in New York City. It's just, the safety issues here are a real problem."
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."
According to Fox News, the suspect, identified as 25-year-old Jaia Cruz, a male to female transgender as noted by police, has been charged with second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of on-duty letter carrier Ray Hodges inside a Harlem deli as the postal service worker was getting his lunch. Cruz's given name is Alvin Cruz.
The United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) has confirmed that Hodges was the victim in the unprovoked incident. Hodges, who was 36-years-old, was taken to Harlem Hospital where he was pronounced dead. According to The New York Post, Cruz has a history of knife violence, including threatening to "cut" one of his previous victims.
Law enforcement sources told The Post that Cruz was arrested at least five times before he allegedly carried out the ruthless killing of Hodges. In July 2020, Cruz was caught waving an open box cutter at another person in Midtown West and shouting, "I'm going to cut him." Cruz was ordered to get on the ground, but refused.
He was then pulled away by officers and arrested for resisting arrest. Two weeks later, Cruz was arrested again for a 4:30 a.m. tag-team robbery where he and another individual used knives to steal a man's phone and wallet after the victim invited the pair to "hang out."
Cruz, a repeat offender, is now facing murder charges for fatally stabbing Hodges. Sources familiar with the incident said that Hodges skipped the line directly in front of Cruz, inciting the knife-wielding woman. She then allegedly "gutted him in the stomach." He reportedly spit on Hodges during the incident as well.
FOX 5 reported that neighbors who run into Hodges all the time on his daily route are in complete disbelief that this happened. Uzo Guchisachi said, "I know the guys who deliver mail and just like that, he's gone. It's very scary. Anytime you wake up, anything can happen." CBS News reported that local activist Dr. Iesha Sekou, with Street Corner Resources, said she comforted the victim's mother at the hospital.
She said, "A mother never, never expects to bury her child. She's still in a little shock. She just said, I didn't believe that my son would be dead. And I don't think any mother is read for this." Harlem resident Cecilia Chanu said, "It's just so unfortunate this is happening in New York City. It's just, the safety issues here are a real problem."
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."
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