NEW YORK — Jonaiki Martinez-Estrella, the convicted gang member who played a central role in the brutal killing of 15-year-old Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, has died while serving his prison sentence. He was 31 years old. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) confirmed his death in recently released records, though no details about the circumstances or cause of his death have been made public.
Martinez-Estrella had been serving a sentence of 25 years to life at a New York State correctional facility after being convicted of second-degree murder in connection with one of the most shocking gang-related killings in recent memory. His death brings a sudden and unexpected end to a high-profile chapter in a case that ignited national outrage and galvanized anti-violence efforts across New York and beyond.
Originally convicted of first-degree murder, Martinez-Estrella was resentenced in 2023 after the New York State Supreme Court overturned that conviction, ruling that prosecutors had failed to sufficiently prove that he acted with “intent to torture”—an essential element required for a first-degree murder charge under New York law. Despite the reduced conviction, Martinez-Estrella remained one of the key figures held accountable in the 2018 killing that became known to many as the “Justice for Junior” case.
On June 20, 2018, Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, a 15-year-old aspiring NYPD officer, became the tragic victim of mistaken identity. A group of Trinitarios gang members, including Martinez-Estrella, wrongly believed Junior to be affiliated with a rival group. The teen was chased through the streets of the Bronx, desperately seeking shelter inside a bodega in the Belmont neighborhood. Despite his pleas for help, he was dragged out onto the street, where he was stabbed and slashed multiple times, including with a machete. The attack was captured in disturbing detail on surveillance video, which went viral and drew widespread attention, sparking protests, memorials, and calls for justice across the country.
Martinez-Estrella was widely reported to be the individual who delivered the fatal machete blow to Junior’s neck, making him one of the most reviled figures in the attack. His conviction in 2019 was a key victory in a series of prosecutions that saw multiple gang members sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in the teen’s death.
In the wake of Martinez-Estrella’s death, Leandra Feliz, Junior’s mother, reaffirmed the grim reality of gang life that has devastated countless families.
“There are only two ways for gang members – prison or the cemetery,” she told reporters after news of his death emerged.
For Leandra and many in the Bronx community, the pain of losing Junior has never truly subsided. Over the years, she has become a tireless advocate for youth protection, anti-gang initiatives, and criminal justice reform. Her voice has become one of the most powerful in the ongoing fight against gang violence, and she has tirelessly worked to raise awareness about the trauma caused by the loss of a loved one to senseless violence.
The killing of Junior left an indelible mark on the Bronx and the city at large. For many, it was a wake-up call to the dangers of gang life and its devastating impact on families. While the justice system has ensured some accountability for the murder, there are still many unanswered questions about how such senseless violence continues to plague neighborhoods across the country.
The DOCCS has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the circumstances of Martinez-Estrella’s death, including whether it was natural, self-inflicted, or the result of foul play. As of now, no additional information has been released by prison officials or law enforcement. While his death may bring a sense of closure for some, the legacy of this tragic case continues to resonate. Junior’s death remains a harrowing symbol of how gang violence can shatter lives and communities in an instant.
For many, Martinez-Estrella’s death will not erase the pain caused by the events of June 20, 2018. It does not bring back the life of Junior, nor does it heal the deep wounds left behind by that brutal attack. While the justice system has convicted the men responsible, there is a collective understanding that the true healing can only come through breaking the cycle of violence that continues to affect so many young people today.
The tragic death of Junior Guzman-Feliz has galvanized efforts to tackle gang violence and protect young people from falling prey to the lure of gangs. Community leaders, activists, and organizations continue to push for greater resources to help at-risk youth, as well as stronger measures to combat gang-related violence in neighborhoods like the one where Junior’s life was taken. The outrage sparked by the killing, and the subsequent legal battle, has left a lasting imprint on the city, and the fight for justice continues to push forward.
While the death of Martinez-Estrella might offer a brief sense of finality for some, it serves as a painful reminder of the many families still struggling to deal with the aftermath of gang violence. For the Guzman-Feliz family, and many others who have experienced the devastating consequences of such senseless acts, the hope for justice is not just about convictions—it’s about ending the cycle of violence that continues to claim young lives.
In the aftermath of this incident, communities continue to ask themselves difficult questions about how to protect young people from gang involvement and what can be done to prevent further tragedies. Junior’s legacy, however, lives on in the ongoing efforts to make neighborhoods safer, to provide support for families affected by gang violence, and to ensure that other young lives are not cut short in the same way.
As the investigation into the cause of Martinez-Estrella’s death continues, the community of the Bronx and beyond remains focused on the ultimate goal: ensuring that no other family has to suffer the way the Guzman-Feliz family has. While justice may not always bring the peace that families deserve, it is a vital step toward healing. For Junior’s mother, Leandra Feliz, her advocacy work and tireless fight for justice continue, and her son’s memory lives on through the work that she does every day.
This tragic case serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating impact that gang violence continues to have on families and communities. As we reflect on the life of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, we remember not just the tragedy of his death, but the hope for change that his story continues to inspire. While his life was taken far too soon, his legacy lives on in the efforts to protect other young people from falling victim to similar fates.
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