Bronx gang member who fatally stabbed Lesandro ‘Junior’ Guzman Feliz dies in prison, according to prison records.

Jonaiki Martinez Estrella, the Trinitarios gang member responsible for the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old Lesandro “Junior” Guzman Feliz, has died in state prison custody, according to public records. This information comes less than a month after he was re-sentenced for his role in the widely publicized murder that took place on June 20, 2018, in the Bronx.

As of Friday, Martinez Estrella, 31, was listed as “deceased” in the New York State Department of Corrections’ online inmate locator. Specific details surrounding his death remain elusive, with reports indicating that he was housed at the maximum-security Coxsackie Correctional Facility at the time.

The incident that led to Guzman Feliz’s tragic death shocked and outraged the community and beyond. The brutal attack was captured on video, showing a group of men mistakenly identifying Junior as a member of a rival Trinitarios faction. They pursued him into a local grocery store, where they ultimately dragged him outside and attacked him with knives and a machete. Martinez Estrella inflicted the fatal wound, stabbing Junior in the throat and severing his jugular vein.

Initially convicted of first-degree murder, Martinez Estrella faced the possibility of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. However, an appeals court overturned this conviction in March 2023, citing insufficient evidence to demonstrate that he intended to inflict torture on Guzman Feliz. Despite this ruling, he remained convicted on charges of second-degree murder, conspiracy, and gang assault. On May 30, a judge in Bronx Criminal Court re-sentenced him to a term of 25 years to life.

This case has highlighted ongoing concerns regarding gang violence in urban areas and the impact such incidents have on families and communities. The death of Guzman Feliz remains a painful chapter for many, as his story has resonated deeply across social media platforms and sparked discussions about the necessity for comprehensive strategies to combat gang-related activities.

As investigations into the circumstances surrounding Martinez Estrella’s death unfold, the community continues to grapple with the ramifications of this tragic event, underscoring the vital need for continued dialogue surrounding youth safety and gang violence prevention.

Media News Source.