Pursuit suspect attempts to swim away from authorities
A man sought on a felony warrant remained in the Pacific Ocean off Will Rogers State Beach for roughly 90 minutes before Los Angeles County lifeguards surrounded him and assisted in taking him into custody. (Credit: FOX 11 Los Angeles)
Authorities in a California beach town are investigating what they described as a “random” attack after a woman was fatally stabbed in the parking lot of a shopping mall.
Rachell Summers, 73, of Capitola, was found with multiple stab wounds outside the food court at Capitola Mall shortly before 1 p.m. Monday, police said.
The shopping center sits just over a mile from Capitola Beach, a well-known coastal destination in the Santa Cruz area.
A woman was found stabbed to death outside a shopping mall in Capitola, California, a popular beach resort town near Santa Cruz. (Getty Images: Ed-Ni-Photo)
The Capitola Police Department said 19-year-old Tyler Leibelt was arrested in connection with the knife attack.
“Based on the investigation, detectives continue to believe this was a random act of violence, and there is no indication that the suspect knew the victim prior to the attack,” police said.
Court records show Leibelt is facing a murder charge along with other felonies.
Tyler Leibelt, 19, is accused of stabbing and killing a woman outside a shopping mall in Capitola, California. He was arrested shortly after the alleged incident. (Capitola Police Department)
One of the charges listed, “PC667.5(C)-ENH-VIOLENT FELONY ALLEGATION” or California Penal Code 667.5, which reveals the suspect may have been charged in a previous felony case.
That means Leibelt, if convicted in this case, may be subject to substantially longer incarceration times and stricter rules.
A woman was found stabbed to death outside the Capitola Mall in Capitola, California on Monday, police say. (Google Maps)
As for the victim, Summers was a local artist who managed the Art of Santa Cruz art gallery, which is now closed for the remainder of the week, the New York Post reports.
“Our hearts remain with Rachell’s family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic and senseless act of violence,” the police department said in a social post.
The investigation is ongoing.
