Inset: Antonio Moore (Palm Beach County Jail). Background: Barnes & Noble in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where Moore allegedly stabbed a woman to death (Google Maps).
A tragic incident unfolded in a Florida Barnes & Noble when a recent arrival from Georgia, identified as Antonio Moore, allegedly stabbed a 65-year-old woman to death. According to police, the victim, Rita Loncharich, was targeted simply because she was the closest person to him at the time.
The shocking event took place around 8 p.m. on Monday at the bookstore located on Legacy Avenue in Palm Beach Gardens. Authorities responding to the scene discovered Loncharich with a knife lodged in her back. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she succumbed to her injuries during surgery.
In their quest to find answers, investigators pieced together a suspect profile by interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage. This led them to Moore, a 40-year-old man, whom officers apprehended about a quarter-mile from the scene.
Moore, who had taken a bus from Georgia and had been in the area for roughly a week, reportedly confessed to the crime. He explained to police that he was charging his phone in the store when an overwhelming internal tension triggered a “fight or flight” response, prompting him to stab Loncharich, who was the nearest person.
Moore allegedly told police he had been in the area for about a week after taking a bus from Georgia. He was charging his phone in the store when the incident occurred. He allegedly admitted to officers that he had no prior interaction with the victim before fatally stabbing her.
“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,” cops wrote. “Antonio took the fixed blade knife he had inside his jacket pocket and stabbed Rita in the back.”
Moore said he heard Loncharich say, “He stabbed me.” She seemed “to be in shock” with being stabbed, he allegedly said. He then ran into some nearby woods until he was located by law enforcement.
The suspect is facing a first-degree murder charge. He is being held without bond in the Palm Beach County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 22.
Management for Legacy Place shopping plaza, where the stabbing occurred, released the following statement to local NBC affiliate WPTV:
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a customer following an incident on property. Our hearts are with the victim’s family, friends and all those impacted. Police responded quickly and a suspect was taken into custody shortly after the incident. Safety remains our top priority. We are working closely with local law enforcement, enhancing our on-site security presence and reviewing protocols with tenants.”
