Mailman murder suspect with history of violence indicted in brazen lunch break attack

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Trans suspect in mailman’s stabbing murder escorted out of NYPD precinct

Jaia Cruz, also known as Alvin, allegedly stabbed an on-duty US Postal Service mail carrier Thursday during a dispute while the two were waiting in line at a Manhattan deli. (Credit: FNTV)

A 24-year-old transgender New Yorker has been indicted on second-degree murder charges in connection with the stabbing death of a United States mail carrier during his lunch break earlier this month, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Jaia Cruz, the 6-foot-4-inch suspect also known as Alvin, allegedly started an argument with 36-year-old postal carrier Ray Hodge III as they stood in line to order lunch sandwiches on Jan. 2.

Cruz allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Hodge repeatedly in front of horrified customers, fellow postal carriers and staff at the restaurant on Manhattan’s Lenox Avenue, between West 118th and West 119th Streets.

MAILMAN’S FAMILY BREAKS SILENCE AFTER FATHER OF 2 KILLED ON LUNCH BREAK

USPS postal carrier Ray Hodge III delivers the mail in an undated family photo provided by his brother, Ed Rice. (Courtesy of Ed RIce)

Hodge suffered knife wounds to his chest, neck and arm, authorities said.

Cruz walked home after the attack and was arrested later.

SUSPECT CHARGED IN FATAL STABBING OF POSTAL WORKER IN NYC DELI OVER SPOT IN LINE HAS HISTORY OF KNIFE VIOLENCE

Jaia Cruz, a 24-year-old female, was arrested and transported by the NYPD from the 28th Precinct after allegedly stabbing a postal worker to death in a deli while working in Harlem. (Kyle Mazza/Sipa/IMAGN)

Hodge was pronounced deceased at Harlem Hospital. He was a father of two whose colleagues at the USPS remembered him as a “great, kind soul” on social media.

“We are extremely hurt and saddened by the loss of my brother,” his brother Ed Rice told Fox News Digital previously. “He was a remarkable person and touched a lot of people in a positive manner. We have been silent in our grieving and are handling my brother’s affairs.” 

Cruz has a criminal record that includes prior acts of knife violence, including a mugging.

NYPD MAKES ARREST IN FATAL STABBING OF ON-DUTY POSTAL WORKER

The NYPD has charged Jaia Cruz in the fatal stabbing of a USPS worker inside a Harlem deli. (Peter Gerber)

As the New York case moves forward, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Postal Service’s law enforcement arm, is asking anyone with additional information on the case to call investigators at 1-877-876-2455.

“This alleged broad-daylight stabbing shook the neighborhood, including the deli workers and customers who witnessed the attack,” Bragg said. “My thoughts are with those grieving the loss of Ray Hodge, a postal worker and beloved father of two.”

The NYPD has charged Jaia Cruz in the fatal stabbing of a USPS worker inside a Harlem deli. (Peter Gerber)

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The family created a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral costs.

“Ray touched the lives of everyone he interacted with,” the fundraiser reads. “Ray was a hardworking, honorable and good man whose life epitomized his values and his willingness to help others. Ray touched the lives of so many, and we all are truly blessed to have known and had the opportunity to love him.”