Convicted Gang Member Jonaiki Martinez-Estrella, Involved in the Murder of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, Dies in Prison at 31

Convicted Gang Member Jonaiki Martinez-Estrella, Involved in the Murder of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz, Dies in Prison at 31

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.

A Resentencing After a Controversial Legal Ruling

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.

The Night That Shook a City: The Murder of Junior Guzman-Feliz

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.

A Mother’s Unending Grief and Message

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.

Unanswered Questions Remain

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.