Heartbreaking Letter from Mom on the Day Her Son Was Brutally M.u.r.d.e.r.e.d: ‘My Junior Baby Was Taken Too Soon’
Years after the horrific murder of 15-year-old Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz in the Bronx, his mother Leandra Feliz continues to keep his memory alive in the hearts of family, friends, and the wider community. Now, she has made the painful decision to publicly share the full letter she wrote on the very day her son was taken from her in a senseless act of gang violence.
On June 20, 2018, Junior, a bright and ambitious teenager who dreamed of becoming a police officer and was active in the NYPD Explorers program, left his home to meet a friend. What should have been an ordinary evening turned into a nightmare when members of the Trinitarios gang mistook him for a rival. A group of men chased the terrified boy through the streets before dragging him out of a local bodega where he had desperately sought refuge. Surveillance footage captured the brutal attack, showing Junior being slashed and stabbed with machetes and knives. Despite his injuries, the courageous teen staggered toward a nearby hospital, collapsing just steps away. His final words were a simple request for water. He was pronounced dead shortly after.
The mistaken-identity killing sent shockwaves through New York City and beyond, sparking outrage over gang violence and community safety. Fourteen suspects were eventually arrested and convicted in connection with the crime, though the path to justice has been long and emotionally draining for the family, with some convictions later appealed and one perpetrator reportedly dying in prison years later.
Leandra Feliz has been the unwavering voice for her son, attending court hearings, advocating for changes like panic buttons in bodegas, and ensuring Junior’s story serves as a warning against unchecked violence. In the letter written on that devastating day, raw emotions pour out — a mother’s love, disbelief, and profound grief as she grappled with the unimaginable loss. Sharing it now, years later, reflects her ongoing commitment to healing while refusing to let the world forget the innocent life stolen that night.
Junior was remembered as a kind-hearted boy who loved video games, looked out for his family, and carried big dreams for the future. Neighbors described him as the friendly kid from the block who greeted everyone with a smile. His death not only shattered his immediate family — including his father Lisandro Guzman and siblings — but highlighted deeper issues of youth safety in urban neighborhoods plagued by gang activity.
Even today, murals, scholarships in his name, and annual remembrances honor Junior’s legacy. Leandra’s decision to release the letter brings the tragedy full circle, offering a deeply personal glimpse into a parent’s worst nightmare. It serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of violence on families and communities. For Leandra, the fight continues — not just for justice, but to prevent other mothers from enduring the same pain. Junior’s story endures as a symbol of lost potential and the enduring strength of a mother’s love in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
