The Bronx bodega owner who faced public outcry for not doing more to help a murdered teen has spoken out and released new surveillance video showing him trying to hide the victim from the vicious killers.
Breaking down in tears at times, Modesto Cruz on Friday told reporters his account of the gangland machete slaying of Lesandro ‘Junior’ Guzman-Feliz, 15, on June 20 just outside his store.
Guzman, an aspiring NYPD cop, was killed in an apparent case of mistaken identity. Eight suspected members of the Trinitarios, a Dominican street gang, have been arrested and charged in the murder.
Guzman was buried on Wednesday in a funeral attended by thousands.
The teen was in the NYPD Explorer program and was a die-hard Yankees fan.
While not as well known as the infamous MS-13, the Trinitarios presence is rising in New York City and bringing with it a wave of violence, experts say.
Its specialties are machete murders, drug dealing and prostitution, according to police sources. Members distinguish themselves with lime-green bandannas.
Aric Chen
Editor