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At least seven people were detained Monday as a result of the deadly attack on a Bronx teenager last week, whose attack was filmed, causing an uproar in social media and causing an avalanche of tips to the police.
Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, 15, was shot from a bodega in Belmont neighborhood on Wednesday night and was stabbed with machetes by several assailants in what the investigators suspected to be a false identity on the part from a gang.
Monday afternoon, about six kilometers from the place where Lesandro died, hundreds of people gathered at Ralph G. Ortiz Funeral Home, on Southern Boulevard, to remember the teenager whose the family dreamed of becoming a police detective. The line to enter the funeral home wrapped around the block; many wore white roses and chanted "Justice for Junior!"
Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill was among those who came forward for the wake.
A 19-year-old suspect, Kevin J. Alvarez, was charged with second degree murder, manslaughter, assault and assault during a criminal court appearance. of the Bronx. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and was sentenced without bail by Judge Mary Bejarano. Six others were waiting for the extradition of New Jersey.
The lawyer hired by Mr. Alvarez's family, Manuel Portela, insisted on patience. "My client's family has expressed their hearts go out to the victims in this case," said Portela. "But we will ask the public to allow the court process to take its place and move forward in this case in a fair and equitable manner for my client."
Mr. Alvarez was discreetly handcuffed, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, while Masateru Marubashi, an assistant district attorney, described the crime. Family members and supporters of Mr. Alvarez watched from the seats while Mr. Marubashi identified him as one of the people who dragged Lesandro out of the bodega and, once outside, l & rsquo; Stabbed and hacked repeatedly with machetes.
The murder was captured on video by surveillance cameras and a mobile phone. This sparked outrage over social media, and investigators were inundated with photos and other tips that police said helped identify and locate suspects. Rapper Cardi B and Yankee pitcher C. C. Sabathia were among those who spoke using the hashtag #JusticeforJunior, and former Knick Carmelo Anthony visited Lesandro's family with his wife, La La.
The police said that there was a good chance that the killing was committed by members of Trinitarios, a New York-based gang of the Dominican Republic, and that there was no evidence that Lesandro was the only person in the country. ;they were looking for.
The Passaic County Attorney's Office in New Jersey identified the other six suspects as Jose Muniz, 21, of Paterson, N.J .; Jose Tavarez, 21, Manuel Rivera, 18, Danel Fernandez, 21, Santiago Rodriguez, 24, all of the Bronx; and Joniki Martinez, 24, of Freeport, N.Y. They were detained on Monday at Paterson County Jail on the basis of arrest warrants in New York. An extradition hearing was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
The New York Police Department has released several videos footage Friday in public calls for help. On Sunday, the department needed additional staff to handle a large number of calls from its 1-800-577-TIPS hotline. Detective Chief Dermot F. Shea said the case showed how the police and the public can work together to fight crime and violent gangs.
Lesandro, who was known as Junior, was a sophomore at the School of Health and Health Sciences Dr. Richard Izquierdo, where officials said they were "sorry for the loss of our student, friend and classmate. "
"He was a kind, gentle, respectful, always smiling young man with so much potential," he said. A declaration. "Our school is a family and it's hard for us to understand how a wonderful 15-year-old boy lost his mind.
The statement said that the school would pay for his funeral, and a The GoFundMe campaign set up by his sister-in-law, Ione Gutierrez, raised more than $ 200,000.
Lesandro's mother, Leandra Feliz, wore a white T-shirt adorned with her son's face and was greeted with cheers from "Junior! Junior!" And applause when she came out of the funeral to greet the mourners . Ms. Feliz waved her hand, and with her hand sent kisses to the crowd before covering her face, apparently shocked by the outpouring of support. "God bless you all, thank you," she said.
Some said that they were Lesandro's friends, but most said that they were strangers who felt compelled to pay homage.
Orlando Mendez, 18, said he grew up with Lesandro. Their mothers know each other and boys spend time with each other.
"He gave you the help you needed," said Mendez. "Wherever he went, they knew him, it does not add up, it will never add up, his mother is broken."
Asusena Martinez, 15, said that she did not know Lesandro well but that she wanted to show his support. She and her friends attended eight commemorations for teenagers killed this year alone, she said. Ms. Martinez told their names and where they were killed.
"It's something normal for us," she said.
Sean Piccoli contributed to the report.
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