13th Suspect Charged In Brutal Stabbing Of Bronx Teen

THE BRONX, NY — A 13th alleged gang member has been charged in the brutal murder of an innocent Bronx teenager. Ronald Urena of the Bronx, 29, a reputed member of the violent Trinitarios gang, was indicted on murder, gang assault and other charges in the June slaying of Lesandro Guzman-Feliz, the Bronx district attorney announced Monday.

Twelve other reputed Trinitarios have been indicted for their roles in chasing down and stabbing the 15-year-old aspiring detective outside a bodega in the Belmont neighborhood.

"We will not tolerate violence by gangs on our streets, and anyone who plays a role in such crimes will be prosecuted," Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said in a statement Monday.

Urena was allegedly among the members of the Trinitarios' "Los Sures" set who gathered at their leader's Boston Road home on June 20 to plot an attack against another faction of the gang, the DA's office said.

Traveling in four cars, the men happened upon Guzman-Feliz, who was affectionately known as Junior, and chased him to a nearby bodega where he tried to hide, officials said.

The boy was dragged out of the store and slashed and stabbed with knives and a machete, the DA's office said. He was later pronounced dead at St. Barnabas Hospital.

Authorities are also seeking a 14th suspect in the killing who is still at large, according to the New York Daily News.

The investigation into the murder is ongoing, the DA's office said.

Urena faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of the top charge against him, the DA's office said. He was arraigned Monday and is due back in court on Oct. 25.

Guzman-Feliz has not been forgotten since his shocking killing. The first scholarships from a fund created in his honor were reportedly awarded last week to members of the NYPD Explorers program, in which Guzman-Feliz participated.

(Lead image: Lesandro Guzman-Feliz. Photo courtesy of GoFundMe, a Patch promotional partner)