> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Student’s memory spurs a city - URL: https://www.smdp.com/students-memory-spurs-a-city/ - Published: 2006-03-11T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T17:20:57.000Z - Author: Kevin Herrera - Tags: Education, Pico, #archive-import *Lopez funeral set* SAMOHI — It was on full display Friday how the school community and city as a whole have come together in the wake of Eduardo Lopez’ shocking death, as more than a thousand of his fellow Samohi students and community activists took to the streets, joining the family for a peace and unity march through the Pico neighborhood. Meanwhile, a much more subtle, but no less meaningful gesture was being made in the school’s cafeteria. Five parents gathered with their children to clean and re-arrange lunch tables, collect donated food and decorate the bare cafeteria in preparation for a reception following today’s funeral for Lopez, who was gunned down by a suspected gang member on Feb. 28. Both events, while drastically different in purpose and scope, demonstrate the many ways in which the Samohi community and the city as a whole have come together in the wake of Lopez’ tragic death. “Even people who didn’t know him or his family are calling asking what they can do to help, sending money, donating food. It’s unbelievable,” said Tammy Montanari, whose sons were like brothers to Lopez and have spent much of the last week and a half grieving with family. Lopez was shot and killed by a suspected gang member around 9:20 p.m. on Feb. 28\. Police said Lopez was walking with friends on Pico Boulevard near 26th Street when a Latino male approached wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a bandana. He shouted the name of a local gang and began firing indiscriminately into the group of teens. Only Lopez was hit. Police said Lopez, a star athlete on both the Samohi baseball and football teams, was most likely mistaken for a rival gang member. The suspect is still at large. Following his death, Samohi held a memorial for Lopez at its Greek Theater that was attended by hundreds of students as well as elected officials such as Police Chief James T. Butts, Jr., and the new City Manager and City Attorney. A fund has also been set up for the family, as well as a Web site (www.eddie28.com), where people can purchase T-shirts, key chains and other items with pictures of Lopez on them. So far, the Web site has sold 40 shirts, many photos and key chains, with all proceeds going to the Lopez family. “It was Eddie’s dream to get a better education so he could provide for his mom and grandmother and find them a better place to live,” Montanari said. “I told his mother the other day that this (the donations) is her little angel’s way of doing that.” Nikki Donovan, a parent volunteering to help set up the reception immediately following the funeral service today at St. Monica’s Church, said while her son was a good friend of Lopez, she would have been affected by his death regardless, and sees the loss of Lopez as an opportunity to unite against gang violence. “I am just amazed by how people have come together, no matter their age, race, income... whatever,” she said. “We need to let Eddie’s spirit live on in the work that we do from here, and I am hoping that the community’s collective voice calling for peace will send a strong vibration throughout the city, the state and the world. That is my hope.” The vibrations could be felt by those walking with the Lopez family as they made their way from the high school to the location where he was killed. As they marched and handed out flowers to passersby, the group of thousands shouted, “Shame on you,” to all those who have taken a life. Oscar de la Torre, a school board member and director of the Pico Youth & Family Center, helped lead the march. He said that Lopez’ death, while sad, was a gift to every other soul who was touched by him and, therefore, no one should rest until justice is served and peace restored. “Unfortunately, it takes a death for the community to unite and for everyone to realize that we are all connected to each other and that human life is precious,” de la Torre said. “Many times we take life for granted, but we cannot let this opportunity slip away. The Pico neighborhood as been reinvigorated in its quest for peace and we need to continue our work to honor Eddie.” Lopez’ funeral will be held today at 10 a.m. at St. Monica’s Church, 725 California Ave. The burial will take place at Holy Cross immediately following the service. Those who wish can attend a reception at the Samohi cafeteria beginning at 1 p.m. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/031106-02_01.jpg) Students walk alongside community activists and members of Eddie Lopez’ family during a march for peace and unity through Pico neighborhood on Friday. (Photo: Fabian Lewkowicz/Daily Press) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/031106-02_02.jpg) Mecca Donovan, 7, helps her mother decorate the Samohi cafeteria on Friday in preparation for today’s reception honoring Eddie Lopez. (Photo: Kevin Herrera/Daily Press) *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 11, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/031106.pdf?ref=smdp.com)