El Monte teenager killed in stabbing

EL MONTE -- An El Monte teenager died early Sunday after he was allegedly stabbed by a friend during an argument, authorities and neighbors said.
Coroner's officials did not release his name Sunday pending notification of family members outside the country, however a man who identified himself as the teenager's brother said his name was Hugo Negrete, and that the 17-year-old moved to El Monte from Mexico about two years ago.
Eder Castro, 23, who lives in a nearby apartment and was known to neighbors as "Martin," was booked on suspicion of the killing, Lt. David Dolson of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said.
The stabbing was reported just after 3 a.m. in an alley behind an apartment building in the 11100 block of Bonwood Road.
The teen and the suspect had been drinking together prior to the stabbing, Dolson and neighbors said.
"There was some kind of an argument," the lieutenant said. After exchanging blows, "The suspect apparently went to his apartment and retrieved a knife."
Neighbor Martha Leyva said at one point after fighting, Castro and Negrete shook hands as if making up, but Castro then retrieved a knife from his apartment and stabbed Negrete in the chest.
"I screamed to my sister to call 9-1-1," she said.
Dolson said Castro was arrested at his apartment.
A kitchen knife believed to be the murder weapon was found on the roof of the apartment building, he added.
Leyva described Negrete as a "nice guy."
"He would get along together with everybody," she said.
Castro, however, had a short temper and was quick to fight, Leyva added.
The incident did not appear to be gang-related, Dolson said.
Sunday's slaying was the fourth homicide reported in El Monte this year.
*On June 18, Sonny Garcia, 20, was fatally shot at a high school graduation party near Fairview Street and Elrovia Avenue.
*On July 24, Jose Jimenez, 16, was fatally shot by Baldwin Park police officers on Peck Road, just south of the 10 Freeway, after he allegedly pointed a gun at them.
*On Aug. 9, Job Gonzalez-Martinez, 20, was shot to death as he rode his bicycle on Lansdale Avenue near Cogswell Road.