Teen Who Fatally Stabbed Ex-Girlfriend Heads to Court
Abraham Lopez/LASD
Lopez is charged with one count each of murder and false imprisonment by violence, two counts of bringing or possessing weapons on school grounds and three counts each of assault with a deadly weapon and assault upon a peace officer.
During lunchtime in full view of students and faculty, Lopez attacked Santana during an argument and "began suddenly striking [Santana] with his fists and then pushed her to the ground," Deputy Benjamin Grubb of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau said in a statement. "The suspect then stabbed the victim several times before being subdued." Varsity football player Jorge Garcia and a female dean were injured while trying to stop Lopez's attack. A cut on Garcia's arm required 15 stitches to close the wound.
Prosecutors are expected to request that Lopez's bail be set at $1.28 million. If convicted, he could face life in prison with possibility of parole.
On Monday the school beefed up security, crisis counselors visited to meet with students and staffers plus school and district officials held a meeting for parents at the campus. Parents are questioning why Lopez was allowed on school grounds after being arrested on Monday, September 25 for making a criminal threat against Santana. Authorities said Lopez sent text messages to Santana claiming he would send men to beat up her sister's husband. Due to insufficient evidence, the District Attorney did not press charges. Lopez was released from jail on Tuesday.
The school was aware of Lopez's arrest. "We were looking for him obviously, we were notified of that," said LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy, according to ABC7. "But he did not come to school that week."
Students are currently collecting donations for Santana's family to help pay for her funeral expenses.
