PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL – An evening visit to a local bookstore turned tragic Monday when a 65-year-old woman was fatally stabbed by a stranger, authorities say. Rita Loncharich, described as a devoted community member and beloved by her family, was shopping inside the Barnes & Noble store on Legacy Avenue just before 8 p.m. when she was attacked.
According to police, Loncharich was browsing the aisles when a man approached her and stabbed her with a fixed-blade knife. She suffered critical injuries and was rushed to the hospital, where surgeons worked to save her life. Despite their efforts, Loncharich died during surgery, leaving her loved ones and the community in mourning.
Investigators say there is no evidence Loncharich knew her attacker. She appears to have been targeted at random while going about her daily life. Witnesses and surveillance footage helped police quickly identify a suspect, later found a short distance from the crime scene.
Officers detained 40-year-old Antonio Moore, who had recently traveled to Florida from Georgia. He was located in a wooded area about a quarter-mile from the bookstore, reportedly attempting to evade law enforcement following the attack.
Authorities say Moore confessed to the stabbing, admitting he did not know Loncharich and choosing her simply because she was the nearest person to him inside the store. According to police documents, Moore claimed to have experienced an overwhelming internal impulse that compelled him to carry out the attack.
During questioning, Moore also recounted hearing the victim cry out in shock before collapsing. He described leaving the scene immediately and fleeing toward a wooded area in an attempt to hide from police.
The sudden and senseless loss of Loncharich has left a deep impact on the Palm Beach Gardens community. Regular customers and staff at the shopping plaza remember her as a friendly and familiar face, often seen browsing books or engaging with neighbors.
Moore has been charged with first-degree murder and is currently being held without bond at the Palm Beach County Jail. He is expected to make his first court appearance on January 22.
Shopping plaza management has expressed condolences for the victim and her family, emphasizing efforts to enhance on-site security and support ongoing investigations. Police continue to gather information as the community seeks answers and comfort in the wake of the tragedy.