A 65-year-old woman was stabbed in the back inside a Barnes & Noble store in Florida, and a 40-year-old man has been arrested in connection with her death.
Antonio Moore, 40, was taken into custody and charged with first-degree premeditated murder following the death of Rita Loncharich.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by authorities, Moore admitted to stabbing Loncharich with a fixed-blade knife inside the Barnes & Noble in Palm Beach Gardens on Monday, Dec. 22.
“Antonio stated there was no prior interaction with Rita, or motive as to why he stabbed Rita in the back,” the affidavit alleges. “Antonio stated there was an internal buildup that led to his fight or flight response kicking in with Rita being the closest person inside the store.”
Moore also allegedly told investigators he heard Loncharich say, “He stabbed me,” and that she “seemed to be shocked [about] the attack,” according to the affidavit.
Police were called to the store shortly before 8 p.m. and found Loncharich with a knife in her back. She was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where she later died from her injuries.
Investigators say Moore ran out of the store after the stabbing. Witnesses provided a description, and officers located him about 1,500 feet from the store’s entrance, according to police.
Moore told investigators he had been in Palm Beach Gardens for about a week and had arrived from Georgia by bus.
He is being held without bond. It is unclear whether he has entered a plea.
