not our crimes
Postal Worker Fatally Stabbed in Harlem by a male who Identifies as a woman
By TSR
Harlem, NY - On January 2, 2025, Ray Hodges, a 36-year-old USPS letter carrier, was fatally stabbed inside Joe’s Deli Grocery at 168 Lenox Avenue in Harlem, New York. The altercation reportedly began when Hodges stepped ahead of a 24-year-old individual, identified in media reports as Alvin J. Cruz, in the deli line. Witnesses stated that Cruz became agitated, escalating the situation into a heated argument.
According to witnesses, the confrontation turned violent when Cruz spat on Hodges, who retaliated by throwing a bottle of lemon juice at Cruz. Cruz then drew a knife and stabbed Hodges multiple times in the neck and stomach. Emergency responders transported Hodges to Harlem Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Cruz was arrested shortly after the incident at a nearby apartment and has been charged with murder and manslaughter.
Media reports have referred to Cruz as a woman, but further investigation reveals that Cruz is a biological male who identifies as a woman—a classification often referred to as a trans-identified male. Cruz has a lengthy history of violent offenses, including five prior arrests. Notably, in 2020, Cruz was charged with threatening someone with a box cutter in Midtown West, resisting arrest, and participating in an armed robbery. These incidents highlight repeated failures in addressing Cruz’s violent tendencies.
This case has sparked broader discussions about the categorization of crimes committed by trans-identified males and the potential distortion of crime statistics. Critics argue that when violent crimes, including rape and murder, are committed by trans-identified males but reported as crimes by women, it creates misleading data and obscures the true nature of gendered patterns of violence. Statistics show a rise in violent crimes such as rape, traditionally committed overwhelmingly by males, but these incidents are increasingly being counted as female-perpetrated crimes when committed by trans-identified individuals.
Advocates for clear and accurate reporting emphasize the importance of acknowledging the sex of offenders, not just their gender identity, in crime data. This distinction is essential for understanding crime trends and ensuring accountability. They argue that conflating the identities of perpetrators with their biological sex undermines public safety initiatives and the ability to address the root causes of violence.
Ray Hodges, described by friends and family as a respectful, hardworking man and a devoted father, leaves behind two young sons. A makeshift memorial with candles and his USPS uniform hat has been set up outside his Bronx home, a poignant reminder of the life tragically cut short.
This incident, the third murder in New York City within the first two days of 2025, underscores growing concerns about violence and the systemic challenges in preventing repeat offenses. As the community mourns Hodges’ death, the case continues to highlight the need for honest discussions about crime, accountability, and justice.
