What to Know
- New York City Police Foundation plans to continue to honor Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz by establishing a scholarship in his name
- The scholarship will provide two NYPD Explorer high school graduates up to $5,000 each in reimbursement of tuition and school supplies
- Guzman-Feliz, 15, was viciously killed last week when he was attacked with a machete
The tragic slaying of a New York teen last week has captivated the community but the New York City Police Foundation plans to continue to honor Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz by establishing a scholarship in his name.
The foundation announced Thursday that the The New York City Police Foundation Lesandro Guzman-Feliz Memorial College Fund will provide two NYPD Explorer high school graduates up to $5,000 each in reimbursement of tuition and school supplies upon enrollment in an accredited school for the fall semester.
“The murder of Junior has sent shockwaves of sadness across our city,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement. “Junior’s life was taken too soon, but it will not be in vain. This scholarship will help more young New Yorkers learn about law enforcement and public service, and ensure that Junior’s legacy will never be forgotten.”
The president of the New York City Police Foundation, Susan Birnbaum, shared similar sentiments saying: “Out of this tragedy, future students like Junior will be able to pursue their dreams and, just as importantly, his name will live on.”
Fifteen-year-old Guzman-Feliz, affectionately called Junior, was murdered on June 20 when he was ambushed in a busy Bronx bodega by a group who killed him in a vicious machete attack that was captured on surveillance camera.
The young boy had dreams of becoming an NYPD police officer.
"There is no better way to honor a young man whose stated dream was to become one of the greatest detectives in the world than by establishing a memorial scholarship in his honor,” Police Commissioner James O'Neill said in a statement.
Cops previously said the machete killing of Guzman-Feliz appeared to be linked to the Trinitarios gang. Various men have been arrested in connection to the slaying.
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