Friday’s sentencing marked an end to a slate of prosecutions in the June 2018 killing of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, who was known as “Junior.” In all, 13 people have pleaded guilty or been convicted in the crime.
The five who were sentenced on Friday, plus a sixth who was sentenced Tuesday, dragged the youth out of a corner store where he tried to hide. All six pleaded guilty to manslaughter and got prison terms that vary between 12 and 18 years.
Guzman-Feliz was brutally beaten on the sidewalk outside a Bronx bodega and struck with a machete in the neck in a gruesome, caught-on-camera attack in June 2018.
“The shocking viral video of the attack left the Bronx community — and the world — horrified at such complete disregard for human life.”
– Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark
The teen had been chased by members of the Trinitarios gang and tried to hide in Zesarina Grocery on East 183rd Street near Bathgate Avenue in Belmont.
But the “Los Sures” gang members beat the innocent teen — whom they mistook for a gang rival — and dragged him from the store before hacking at him with knives and a machete.
He was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died.
The crime triggered protests demanding “Justice for Junior.” Thousands of people paid respects at his funeral.
