Jonaiki Martinez-Estrella dead: Gang member who killed Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz' dies at Coxsackie Correctional Facility
Share this @internewscast.com

A confirmed gang member, found guilty of inflicting the deadly stab wound in the high-profile 2018 killing of 15-year-old Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, has passed away in a New York state prison.

The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s website reported that Jonaiki Martinez-Estrella, aged 31, was discovered deceased at the Coxsackie Correctional Facility. The specific cause of death has yet to be determined.

In May, a Bronx Supreme Court Justice re-sentenced Martinez-Estrella to serve 25 years to life due to his role in Guzman-Feliz’s murder. Earlier, in March 2023, the Court of Appeals had reversed his first-degree murder conviction, which had resulted in a life sentence without parole eligibility. Nonetheless, Martinez-Estrella’s convictions for second-degree murder, conspiracy, and gang assault remained intact.

Thirteen other defendants who had a role in the deadly 2018 attack are being held accountable for their actions and remain in prison serving their respective sentences, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark said.

On June 20, 2018, Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz was mistakenly targeted as a rival gang member by a group of 14 men, all believed to be members of the Trinitarios gang.

Authorities were called for reports of an assault in progress around 11:40 p.m. that day, at a bodega on East 183rd and Bathgate Avenue in the Bronx. When they arrived, witnesses told them there had been a fight in front of the store that resulted in the 15-year-old getting slashed in the neck with a machete.

Officials say Junior then ran to St. Barnabas Hospital, located just a block away, but he collapsed on the sidewalk. His dying words, investigators said, were that he needed some water.

He lived one block from the bodega and was known in the neighborhood as Junior. Investigators say he told his mother he was heading downstairs to repay $5 to a friend, but instead he ended up involved in some type of dispute.

Relatives hugged and cried at the scene the day after the slashing, desperate to understand how and why such a thing could happen. They described him as a typical teenager.

“All I can say was that he was a good kid,” sister Genesis Collado-Feliz said. “He just played PlayStation. He played Fortnite. He played 2K, like every 15-year-old. He asked me for advice with girls.”

The stabbing of Junior stunned the city with its sickening depravity, and launched an international social media movement under the hashtag #justiceforjunior that sought justice for the teen.

Emotional vigils have been held in the years following the boy’s death.

Last November, members of the NYPD released balloons to honor Junior six years after the deadly attack. Guzman was a member of the NYPD’s Explorer Program.

The NYPD released balloons in honor of murder victim Junior Guzman.

In 2019, Junior’s mother, Leandra Guzman, laid flowers down at the spot where her son begged for his life. Standing there, she said, just made her think about how much he suffered.

“I feel the same day, it’s nothing passing for me,” she said. “I don’t feel like any years gone on. I don’t feel that. I feel like I’m in the first day,” she said in 2019.

Justice would eventually come, but as then-NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea said four years ago, “I don’t think the family will ever recover in a case like this. It never ends for victims.”

Five gang members were convicted. One man sentenced to life in prison without parole and the other four serve 20-plus years to life.

Martinez-Estrella, who delivered the fatal blow by stabbing Junior in the neck, was initially sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Prosecutors said that he was not remorseful and that, in fact, a correction officer found him with a one-inch sharp object in his shoe on the way to court that morning.

In court, he told the judge, “I’m sorry” and “My intention was not to cause death,” blaming drugs, alcohol, and allegiance to the Trinitarios gang.

Antonio Rodriguez Hernandez Santiago, Jose Muniz, and Elvin Garcia were all sentenced to 25 years to life, while Manuel Rivera was sentenced to 23 years to life because of his age at the time of the crime.

Junior’s parents delivered powerful impact statements to the men who took away their pride and joy.

“They killed an innocent child,” Junior’s mother said. “Of all these men, not a single one of them said, ‘No, no, don’t do it.’ That night, there were two deaths, Junior and I, who was left dead inside. As a young boy, my son dreamed of becoming a detective, so he could protect this city…Please make sure my son’s dreams come true. These killers should never be able to step out of a jail cell, so they know the moment they killed my son, they took their own lives as well.”

Junior’s mom has since lobbied for putting panic buttons in bodegas. A free camp was also opened up in after Junior’s murder in his honor.

———-

* Get Eyewitness News Delivered

* More Manhattan news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube


Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.

Copyright © 2025 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Serbian foreign minister proposes hosting Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations amid ongoing conflict

Serbia Offers Neutral Ground for Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks: A Diplomatic Step Towards Resolution

EXCLUSIVE: Marko Djuric, the Foreign Minister of Serbia, revealed to Fox News…
Rubio slams UNRWA as a 'subsidiary of Hamas,' vows it will not 'play any role' in delivering aid to Gaza

Senator Rubio Denounces UNRWA as ‘Hamas Subsidiary,’ Pledges to Block Gaza Aid Involvement

In the wake of Vice President JD Vance’s departure back to Washington,…
FBI Director Kash Patel calls Kensington drug takedown 'how you safeguard American cities'

FBI Director Kash Patel Hails Kensington Drug Operation as a Model for Urban Safety

On Friday, the FBI and federal prosecutors revealed a “landmark” indictment targeting…
'No Kings' protests largely comprised of people from one demographic: experts

Experts Reveal Predominant Demographic in ‘No Kings’ Protest Movement

At last weekend’s “No Kings” protest in Washington, D.C., the sight of…
NATO fighter jets scrambled after Russian planes allegedly violate airspace

NATO Jets Respond to Suspected Russian Airspace Breach

Two Spanish fighter jets on NATO air policing duties were dispatched after…
June Lockhart, beloved TV mom from ‘Lassie’ and ‘Lost In Space,’ dies at 100

TV Icon June Lockhart, Star of ‘Lassie’ and ‘Lost In Space,’ Passes Away at 100

LOS ANGELES (AP) — June Lockhart, a beloved figure for many television…
Carjacking victim arrested after allegedly shooting boy breaking into his car during Atlanta confrontation

Atlanta Carjacking Twist: Victim Faces Charges After Shooting Alleged Teenage Thief

An Atlanta man found himself in handcuffs after allegedly shooting a teenager…
A General Dilemma the War Department Must Remedy

War Department Faces Critical Challenge Needing Resolution

In the iconic film “White Christmas,” a song poses a poignant question…
California union proposes taxing billionaires to offset Medicaid cuts for low-income people

California Union Advocates for Tax on Billionaires to Counteract Medicaid Reductions for Low-Income Residents

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Thursday, a significant union proposed a one-time 5%…
Trump’s $230M DOJ settlement bid likely has few legal backstops

Trump’s $230M DOJ Settlement Proposal Faces Legal Hurdles, Experts Say

Former President Donald Trump is pursuing a substantial compensation claim, potentially amounting…
Chicago Halloween events: Pet costumes on display at 38th Annual Streeterville Dog Halloween Party at Museum of Contemporary Art

Unleash the Spooky Fun: 38th Annual Streeterville Dog Halloween Party at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art

CHICAGO (WLS) — This past weekend, Chicago was the stage for a…
SNAP benefits November: Donald Trump admin. won't tap contingency fund for food aid amid government shutdown 2025, memo says

Trump Administration Withholds SNAP Contingency Funds During 2025 Government Shutdown, Memo Reveals

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has decided against using approximately $5 billion…