Crime & Safety
12th Suspect In Bronx Teen's Murder Stopped In Southbury: Police
Troopers stopped a vehicle Monday and say the driver is a suspect in the murder of a 15-year-old Bronx teen, who was killed by gang members.
SOUTHBURY, CT — The 12th murder suspect of a Bronx teen, who was reportedly killed by a gang in a case of mistaken identity, was apprehended in Southbury Monday afternoon on Interstate 84, State Police said late Monday.
At 2:36 p.m., Southbury Troop A conducted a motor vehicle stop on I-84 eastbound near Exit 13 in Southbury. Several people were in the vehicle, however the driver was considered the 12th suspect in the Bronx, NY homicide of 15 year-old Lesandro "Junior" Guzman-Feliz, State Police said.
The murder suspect has been detained by Connecticut troopers and the NYPD has responded to continue their investigation, said Kelly Grant, who is the State Police spokeswoman.
Find out what's happening in Southburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Eleven people have been arrested thus far in connection with the brutal stabbing death of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz last month who was dragged out of a Bronx bodega. Leandra Feliz told WCBS-TV her son Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, aka Junior, left their apartment to loan someone money.
Surveillance video shows the suspects enter the Belmont bodega, located at Bathgate Avenue and East 183rd. The boy is dragged out onto the street and stabbed multiple times in the neck, CBS New York reports. He ran to a local hospital and later died of his injuries, according to reports.
Find out what's happening in Southburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Family members told media outlets that a local street gang reached out and said they meant to attack someone else. A family member told The Post a gang leader apologized to the family, admitted it was a case of mistaken identity and kicked out all the gang members over the killing.
Lesandro had been reportedly enrolled in the NYPD's explorer's program, which is intended for youths and young adults interested in a future with the police force.
The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help out with funeral and other costs. It has raised more than $334,000 as of Monday evening.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for more updates. Patch Editor Dan Hampton contributed to this story.
Image via GoFundMe. GoFundMe is a Patch partner.
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