BRONX, N.Y. — Years after the brutal murder that shocked the nation, Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz continues to live in the hearts of his mother, family, friends, and the broader community. His memory is honored through vigils, memorials, and personal tributes that keep his legacy alive.

On June 20, 2018, the 15-year-old aspiring NYPD Explorer was killed in a horrific case of mistaken identity outside a Bronx bodega. Members of a gang attacked him in a violent assault captured on surveillance video, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.

Leandra Feliz, Junior’s mother, has become a powerful voice in the fight against youth violence. She regularly visits her son’s gravesite, participates in memorials, and speaks publicly about the enduring pain of losing a child. “My son is not coming back,” she has shared in past reflections. “Every day, I miss him more and more. I don’t want people to forget him.”

Community events, including those hosted by the NYPD in partnership with the Explorer program Junior loved, continue to celebrate his life. Memorials often coincide with anniversaries and what would have been his birthdays, bringing together supporters to remember the bright, ambitious teen who dreamed of serving as a police officer.

The corner where the tragedy occurred was renamed “Lesandro Junior Guzman-Feliz Way,” serving as a permanent reminder of his short but impactful life. Vigils and marches have marked each passing year, with family members laying flowers and sharing stories of Junior’s kindness and potential.

Junior’s story has fueled conversations about gang violence, community safety, and support for grieving families. His mother and loved ones remain committed to ensuring his death was not in vain, advocating for change so no other family endures such unimaginable loss.

Though years have passed, the Bronx and beyond continue to say his name: Justice for Junior. His spirit endures through the love of those who remember him — a young life taken too soon, but never forgotten