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The crazed, knife-wielding woman who allegedly killed a USPS worker for skipping her in the deli line spit in the victim’s face before the fatal knifing, a witness told The Post.

The worker who was manning the grill said multiple customers tried to separate the pair after accused killer Jaia Cruz started a verbal argument.

Postal worker Ray Hodges was fatally stabbed. Obtained by NY Post
Jaia Cruz has been arrested after allegedly stabbing and killing a US postal worker on January 2, 2025, in Harlem. Christopher Sadowski

“[Ray Hodges] was in the store counting his money to check how much he had to order. She came in after him and she had bags probably from the supermarket. She put her bags by the coffee machine and she came to order,” the employee, who declined to share his name, told The Post.

A small vigil was erected outside the scene. Robert Miller

“He told her he’s trying to order his sandwich and she started arguing with him,” he continued.

“I told him it wasn’t worth it.”

A postal worker was stabbed and killed inside a deli in Harlem just before 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. FreedomNewsTV/Ken Lopez

Multiple people who were in the store successfully separated the pair, but Cruz kept trying to go after Hodges, whose loved ones said was a “great man” and doting father of two.

Even the employee put himself in the middle of the pair to end the fight — which escalated when Cruz hocked a loogie at her victim.

“I was in the middle and he was in front of me and she came from behind me and spit in his face,” the deli worker recalled.

Cops arrive at the scene of the stabbing. FreedomNewsTV/Ken Lopez

“That got him mad so he threw the bottle of lemon juice at her.”

“That’s when she took the knife and came to him and I had to move.”

Cruz allegedly lodged the blade in Hodges’ neck and stomach, the worker explained, adding that he and other customers called 911.

Cruz has since been charged with murder and is awaiting arraignment.

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