A 65-year-old woman has been fatally stabbed in what police describe as a seemingly unprovoked attack while she was Christmas shopping at a Barnes & Noble bookstore in the United States.
Details of the Fatal Stabbing
The victim, identified as Rita Loncharich, was attacked shortly before 8pm EST on Monday, December 22, at the Palm Beach Gardens, Florida branch of the popular book retailer. Officers discovered her unconscious on the shop floor with a knife lodged in her back. She was given immediate aid before being rushed to St. Mary's Medical Centre, where she tragically died during surgery, according to the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department.
The suspect allegedly fled the scene on foot immediately after the assault. Authorities swiftly utilised shop CCTV footage and witness descriptions to track the individual responsible.
Suspect Apprehended and Charged
Police located the suspect, named as 40-year-old Antonio Moore, in woodland near the shop shortly after the incident. He was reportedly wearing clothing that matched the description provided by witnesses and seen in the video evidence. Moore was detained and, according to police, admitted to the crime.
The following day, Moore was remanded in custody without bail after being formally charged with first-degree premeditated murder. A probable cause affidavit states that Moore informed police he had arrived in the area roughly a week prior on a bus from Georgia and was in the shop charging his mobile phone.
Motive and Court Proceedings
According to the affidavit, Moore allegedly told authorities the assault stemmed from an "internal build-up that led to his fight or flight response kicking in with Rita being the closest person inside the store." He made his first court appearance on Wednesday and is due back in court in January.
In the wake of the attack, Barnes & Noble's press office confirmed the company would not comment on an active police investigation. Local shoppers expressed their shock and sorrow to news outlets.
One customer told CBS12: "It's terrible that anybody can't walk into a regular store without being fearful of being stabbed." Another added, "My heart goes up to the family affected and, you know, the community itself. I never really thought about this type of situation happening."
