A woman was charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a postal worker in a deli located in New York City. The incident, which unfolded after a dispute regarding the order of service, resulted in the death of the mail carrier.

Jaia Cruz, 24, appeared in court for her arraignment, where she was denied bail and is being held on murder charges for the death of Ray Hodge, a 36-year-old letter carrier. Attempts to reach Cruz’s legal representative for comments went unanswered.

According to court documents, Hodge sustained multiple stab wounds to the chest, neck, and arms during the altercation that occurred Thursday afternoon in a Harlem deli. Emergency responders found him critically injured on the floor while he was still dressed in his postal uniform.

Witnesses present during the incident, including another customer named Janet Rich, stated that a disagreement over who was next in line escalated quickly. Rich recounted that both she and another bystander attempted to break up the altercation to no avail.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service confirmed that Hodge was a dedicated letter carrier working in Manhattan, and tributes have started to pour in from the community. Following the news of his death, neighbors gathered outside his home in the Bronx, creating a memorial by placing candles around his postal cap.

Alejandro Alarcon, a resident on Hodge’s delivery route, expressed his sorrow and fondness for the letter carrier, recalling how Hodge had gone out of his way to assist customers. Alarcon shared that just before Hodge’s untimely death, the postal worker had helped him verify a package, showcasing his commitment to serving the community.