#JusticeForJunior

Submission 6,019

Overview

#JusticeForJunior is a hashtag used to catalogue the conversation surrounding the investigation and response to the murder of New York City-teenager Lesandro "Junior" Guzman–Feliz.

Background

On June 20th, 2018, Lesandro "Junior" Guzman–Feliz, a 15-year-old from the Bronx borough of New York City, New York was dragged from a convenience store on East 183rd Street by six men and stabbed.^[1] Surveillance footage of the attack showed that the victim attempted to get help from the workers of the convenience store, but they seemed to ask him to leave the store. He died shortly after.

Developments

Online Reaction

Following the stabbing, people following the investigation and those wishing to support the family began posting about the story under the hashtag, sharing the security camera footage of the attack. On June 22nd, Twitter ^[2] user @_AyeTobi posted video of the incident (screenshot below, left). They captioned the post, "They dragged this 15 year old boy out the store and stabbed him to death and nobody did nothing about it #justiceforjunior 🙏🏾." The post received more than 3,600 retweets and 4,700 likes in five days.

That day, Twitter^[3] user @barbie_VXXV tweeted, "everyone should RT the photo of the pieces of shit who killed that kid every time it comes up on the TL until they finally get caught #JUSTICEFORJUNIOR." The post (shown below, center) received more than 8,600 retweets and 3,300 likes in five days.

Twitter^[4] user @ttgbraylo posted a number of photos of Guzman–Feliz with his friends and family. They captioned the photographs "Rest easy 😪 #justiceforjunior💔" The post (shown below, right) received more than 5,300 retweets and 9,900 likes in five days.

The response from residents in the Bronx also included financial aide as Ione Gutierrez, brother-in-law of Guzman-Feliz started a GoFundMe ^[5] for the their family. Looking to raise $15,000, Gutierrez wrote, "Hey everyone I opened up a gofundme account for my brother in law and he’s family due to financial difficulties at this moment since he’s death was so sudden and tragic. He was 15 yrs old and was stabbed to death by a group of multiple men Anything donated will be greatly appreciated. We appreciate your help and your prayers thank you very much." Within five days, the campaign raised more than $284,000 from 11,000 backers.

Celebrity Response

On June 22nd, American rapper and recording artist Cardi B posted about the murder on Instagram. ^[6] She posted an image of Guzman-Feliz's mother lying over her son's body crying. Cardi B wrote, "These Bronx streets are ruthless .What piss me off the most is that these BX cops be harassing the shit outta people then they see a boy bleeding to death and ask what happen ?“uuuummmmmmmm😤😤😤 How bout you call the ambulance like ya be calling for back up when ya see nikkas smoking in front of a building !!!!! People be like”call the police!” Call the police!!” But for what the operators be asking you questions for like 4 minutes on the phone with an attitude and the cops come maaa lateeee." The post (shown below, left) received more than 2.5 million likes.

Days later, fellow recording artist and rapper Rihanna posted a picture of the boy on Instagram^[7] with the caption, "can’t stop thinking about this poor baby boy, and how his family must feel right now! I’m sincerely praying for your healing and #justiceforjunior." Within three days, the post (shown below, right) received more than 1.6 million likes.

Public Response

On June 25th, a vigil was held outside of the convenient store, which had been closed in the days following the murder. Hundreds attended and left flowers and other memorial items on the ground where the attack took place.

Suspects

Police believe that the attack was gang related. According to CNN, eight men have been arrested in connection with the crime as of June 26th. Officials believe the act was perpetrated by the Trinitarios street gang but may have been a case of mistaken identity, which the Trinitarios claimed as much on social media.^[8]

Media Coverage

Several media outlets covered the story as the #JusticeForJunior campaign spread, including CNN, The New York Times,^[9] Gothamist, ^[10] The New York Daily^[11] News and more.