Cindi Santana, 17

Cindi Santana, a 17-year-old Latina, was stabbed to death Friday, Sept. 30, in the 2700 block of Tweety Boulevard in South Gate, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

Santana, a senior at South East High school, died after an altercation with her ex-boyfriend, Abraham Lopez, an 18-year-old Latino, authorities say.

Lopez, a senior, allegedly attacked Santana while at school about 11 a.m. and then stabbed her, another student and a dean at the school.

Lopez is being held at the Men's Central Jail in downtown.

Students, family, teachers and others gathered at the school, where a memorial was set up with candles, flowers and two heart-shaped balloons.

Parents and students said they were worried about a lack of security at the school.

"You think your kids are safe at school, but they're not," said one parent, who declined to give her name. "To me they should have more security at school. They should search bags more often. I would like to see metal detectors."

Anyone with information about the killing is asked to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

-- Howard Blume