Community activist fatally stabbed protecting her brother at party, CA officials say
A 28-year-old community activist and recent college graduate was fatally stabbed protecting her brother at a party, California prosecutors say.
Now, James Joshua Lopez, 24, has been charged in the death of Amanda Torres, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a Feb. 5 news release.
“This horrific and senseless act of violence took the life of a young woman who dedicated herself to making her community better,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in the release.
Torres was at a party in downtown Los Angeles shortly after midnight Jan. 26 when a group of men attacked her brother, prosecutors said.
When Torres intervened to protect her brother, she was stabbed, prosecutors said.
After rescuers were called to the area, they pronounced Torres dead on scene, 2UrbanGirls reported.
She died from stab wounds to the neck and torso, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
“Amanda Torres was a bright, compassionate leader with limitless potential,” Hochman said.
Before her death, the UCLA graduate often gave back to the community, recently helping with wildfire relief efforts, her family told KABC.
“She donated her time to go and feed the fire department and other people who needed it,” her father, Rogelio Torres, told the outlet. “She was always for (helping) people ... and the community of Los Angeles.”
In a CALÓ News column, a close friend from college described her as “a force, a real force.”
“... She dared me to be better, to make choices that were truly going to make me happy and to be a better friend, son and brother,” the friend wrote.
Torres worked as a program manager for the Community Learning Partnership, working with its California Youth Leadership Corps, according to an Instagram post from the organization.
“Mandie stood for justice. She lived each day with hope and passion and believed in creating a more humane and just world for everyone,” the organization said. “Mandie’s smile, laughter, and positivity was a fierce light that brightened our lives each and every day. Her beautiful soul lifted our spirits.”
Lopez was charged with one count of murder with an allegation of personal use of deadly and dangerous weapon, a knife, according to prosecutors.
“Please understand this is only the beginning of Justice for Mandi,” her family wrote in an Instagram post announcing charges had been filed in her killing.
Lopez, who is being held on $2.02 million bail, is scheduled to appear in court March 3, prosecutors said.
If convicted, prosecutors said Lopez faces 26 years to life in prison.
This story was originally published February 6, 2025 at 11:48 AM with the headline "Community activist fatally stabbed protecting her brother at party, CA officials say."
