Entry Two: Death of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz

On June 20th, 2018, "Junior" Lesandro Guzman-Feliz was brutally murdered by a group of gang members. This senseless killing gained worldwide attention, and is worth talking about; because I strongly believe that his attack should not have been fatal. This entry is dedicated to Lesandro. Rest in eternal peace.

The death of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz (or “Junior” Guzman) sparked a public outrage in 2018, and even caught the attention of celebrities such as Cardi b, The Game, and more. On June 20th, 2018, 15 year old Lesandro Guzman-Feliz was fatally jumped by members of the notorious Dominican gang, “Trinitario”. The vicious attack leading to this tragic death, took place just outside of a bodega (convenience store) in the Belmont neighborhood of the Bronx. June 20th, 10:30 pm, fifteen year old Lesandro left his apartment to loan a friend five dollars. Out looking for his friend, he noticed four vehicles that appeared to be following him. Alarmed, he ran and was chased by the five gang members who were occupying the vehicles. After being chased for several blocks, he finally sought refuge at the neighbourhood bodega. The five men followed Junior, and dragged him outside of the bodega, where three more members of Trinitario were waiting. The store owners and others witnessed the attack, some recorded, but ultimately did nothing to help. Multiple videos from the night of the murder were released, and they quickly went viral on social media; sparking a nationwide outrage. These videos depicted the attack, what lead up to it, and the disturbing events that occurred afterwards.

A bloody lesandro, calling out for help.

Lesandro, being dragged out of the bodega.

Six gang members involved in the attack.

The initial footage, which was very graphic and captured on CCTV video, shows fifteen year old Lesandro Guzman, being dragged out of the bodega and viciously attacked by all eight men, with large machetes. He was stabbed numerous times in the throat, stomach and back. The same video then shows the men running away, and Lesandro running back inside the bodega, blood all over him. The owners of the bodega turn him away, bloody and all. He then stumbles back outside, and you can see him in the video pleading for someone to call 911. Nobody did.

He later tried running to the nearest hospital, St. Barnabas, but he collapses near the entrance. A separate video, taken by a bystander, shows Lesandro sitting outside the hospital entrance, in tears, bleeding to death. Nobody tried to stop the blood, nobody helped, nobody called 911. It is only later in his dying moments, that people who knew Lesandro came screaming frantically, consoling him, and holding cloth to his wounds. Two police officers stood by, but allegedly did little to help. Junior died just minutes after his attack, outside of St.Barnabas hospital.

Victims mother, Leandra Feliz, pictured in front of a photo of Junior.

The attack was a case of mistaken identity; Junior was mistaken by Trinitario for a member of “Sunset”, a rival gang. The attack was sparked after a member of Trinitario’s niece was allegedly raped by a member of Sunset, who looks very similar to Lesandro. Trinitario later issued an apology over social media, to the family of Lesandro. All who took part in the attack have been kicked out the gang. A total of fifteen suspects, all members of Trinitario, were arrested in connection to the death of Lesandro Guzman. Four have been incarcerated, and are now receiving death threats, even from other members of the Trinitario gang. As a result, they have been separated from other prisoners, and are receiving heightened security protection.

Mugshots of five of the gang members involved.

The lack of intervention resulted in the tragic death of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, and it is shocking that in this day and age, a community could fail a victim this way.

People were not hesitant to pull out cell phones and record this tragic incident, and bleeding Lesandro. People were not afraid to stand and watch him die. But if those same people recording had stopped to call an ambulance, or came to Lesandro’s aid more quickly, maybe he would’ve lived. Two police officers, licensed to serve and protect, stood nearby and watched this boy bleed to death, doing little to help. If the people around had done more to help, if the owners of the bodega had called 911, if the community had not failed to come to the aid of this young boy in time, I am convinced the attack would not have been fatal.

Lesandro died a painful, cruel death, and I believe the nonchalance and lack of empathy of the people who witnessed his attack, is also to blame. Some would argue that because of the extent to which the attack was taken, intervention would of made little difference. Maybe under such circumstances and in such an in environment, the attack could not have been prevented that night. However the outcome, the death, could have been prevented if the owners of the bodega and the members of the community who witnessed this attack, had acted more diligently. When the owners of the bodega were asked why they so freely gave Junior away to his murderers, and why they did so little to help, even after the killers had fled, they simply said, “We were told to stay out of it”.

Junior attended Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health & Science Charter School and had a promising future. He aspired to be a detective. He was also a member of the NYPD explorers program. His funeral was attended by thousands, and his pallbearers wore Yankee jerseys because that was his favourite baseball team.

The NYPD has established a scholarship in his name, and the street on which he was killed has since been ceremonially renamed after him.

Street named after Lesandro.

You were described as a kind, charismatic, fun-loving boy. Your life was cut short, and it is heartbreaking that these people could rob us of you. Your story deserves to be told, and I will do my part to make sure it is heard. Today, I honour you, Junior. Continue to rest well.

A mural of Lesandro.