Hundreds attended the funeral of Bronx teenager Lesandro Guzman-Feliz who was dragged out of a bodega by gang members and stabbed to death on June 20.
Police arrested an eighth suspect in Lesandro’s murder on Tuesday. Elvin Garcia was seen making the perp walk from the 48th Precinct to court on Wednesday morning.
Garcia, 23, is charged with murder along with six other suspects from The Bronx and New Jersey. Police apprehended one suspect in his native Dominican Republic where he fled after Lesandro’s death.
Graphic video of the attack caused an uproar when it went viral on social media last week. The video shows 5 gang members dragging the 15-year-old out of the bodega, then slashing and stabbing him as he fought for his life.
Lesandro was left for dead but he struggle to his feet and ran towards a nearby hospital. He collapsed on the sidewalk and died about a block from his home.
Lesandro was the innocent victim of a mistaken identity. The thugs believed he was a rival gang member who filmed a SnapChat video of himself having sex with the little sister of one of the gang members.
Several of the suspects apologized to Lesandro’s mother.
Lesandro Guzman-Feliz Is so sad how they kill a little boy 15 just because he looks like someone else ? #JUSTICEFORJUNIOR #justice4junior #Junior I always tell my son to try not look like someone else, stop copying styles, haircuts just be yourself kids, people, everyone ? pic.twitter.com/1EbobgxAq3
— Miguelina De Chareyre (@mnunez28) June 23, 2018
Six of the suspects appeared in a New Jersey courtroom on Tuesday. Only one of them spoke English. The rest of the gang members required Spanish translators.
THREAD: #Junior's killers appeared in court today. 6 suspects in the stabbing death of #LesandroGuzmanFeliz are all headed back to #NewYork to face charges after waiving their right Tuesday to hearings in #NewJersey. @pmwhiphop #PMW #JUSTICEFORJUNIOR #bronx #bodega pic.twitter.com/rKpKiqyuca
— PMW (@pmwhiphop) June 27, 2018
The gang members complained that their families were being threatened.
“Social media has been very active about this case,” said public defender Judith Fallon, according to the NY Post.
“Their families are being threatened, children,” she told the judge, as the suspects stared at the floor.
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio rushed back from the Mexican border to get camera time in front of the funeral home.
Mourners yelled at the mayor in English and Spanish, criticizing him for not contacting Lesandro’s mother for days. The mayor was busy at the border protesting ICE agents separating immigrant families.
Some social media users criticized former President Obama for shipping MS-13 “unaccompanied minor” gang members to New York and New Jersey. Georgia refused to accept them.
Lesandro’s family told the crowd to boycott the bodega when, or if it ever reopens. Witnesses say the bodega owners did nothing to intervene and instead they told the gang members to take the violence outside.
The bodega remains closed while police investigate the crime scene.
A small memorial for the slain teen outside the store grew to a sea of candles and flowers by Tuesday night.
I have been so greatly effected by the murder of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz & why this beautiful baby boys life was cut so short. ? But the outpouring of love & support from people all over gives me hope that this world will not let it’s light go out just yet. #JusticeForJunior pic.twitter.com/6sC30BtHaH
— Gia Bello (@giabello) June 27, 2018
A GoFundMe account has raised $256,000 for the teen’s funeral expenses.
Bronx rapper Cardi B donated $8,000 to the family under her government name Belcalis Almanzar.
The mother of 15-year-old Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, awaits her son’s funeral procession along with members of the NYPD Explorers, a group of young aspiring officers, the teen known as “Junior” was a part of. 1 week ago he was fatally stabbed outside a Bronx Bodega @CBSNewYork pic.twitter.com/zFUXPUAHyU
— Natalie Duddridge (@CityNatalie) June 27, 2018
6 of the 7 that have been arrested for the murder of #lesandroguzmanfeliz .. (clockwise) Manuel Rivera, Danel Fernandez, Joniki Martinez, Santiago Rodriguez, Jose Tavarez and Jose Muniz. Kevin Alvarez has also been arrested. #justiceforjunior #bronx pic.twitter.com/r1r9fR8g8v
— Shannon Person (@SPSportsEnt) June 25, 2018