A Bronx, New York neighborhood is deep in mourning following the tragic murder of a beloved community member who was fatally stabbed following a dispute at a local deli!
United States Postal worker Ray Hodge was on duty Thursday afternoon as a mail carrier when he stopped at Harlem Deli to order a sandwich, reports ABC News.
According to witnesses on the scene alongside employees of the Lenox Avenue and West 118th Street deli, a confrontation shortly erupted between Ray and a woman named Jaia Cruz over who was going to order first. It has been indicated that Ray has entered the first, however, Jaia became angry and began screaming that she was first in line.
Sources state that multiple people attempted to separate the two and that things escalated as the 24-year-old spat in Ray’s face. Jaia is said to have stabbed the father of two multiple times in his neck, stomach, and other areas of his body.
The 36-year-old was rushed to a local hospital where he shortly succumbed to his injuries. Jaia is said to have fled the scene and was arrested in the lobby of her apartment building.
Authorities share that Jaia has a rap sheet of five arrests including robbery and further incidents connected to knives. She was arrested in 2020 after loudly shouting in a midtown Manhattan area “I’m going to cut him” while flashing a box cutter.
Following Ray’s tragic death, Jaia has now been charged with murder. She is scheduled for arraignment for January 22nd.According to Fox 5 News, Jaia’s attorney has waived their rights to appear in court on Wednesday.
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