A quiet holiday shopping evening ended in horror when a 65-year-old woman was stabbed to death inside a Florida bookstore, in what police describe as a sudden, unprovoked act of violence that has shaken the local community and reignited concerns over public safety and mental health.
A Routine Moment That Turned Tragic
Authorities say Rita Loncharich, 65, was browsing and reading a magazine inside a Barnes & Noble on the evening of Dec. 23 when she was stabbed in the back without warning.
According to court records, the attack happened just before 8 p.m. while Loncharich was shopping for Christmas gifts. Witnesses reported hearing her cry out, “He stabbed me!” in visible shock.
Despite her injuries, Loncharich managed to call her husband, Stuart, and tell him she had been stabbed before collapsing.
Suspect Arrested After Fleeing the Scene
Police say the suspect, Antonio Moore, 40, fled the store and ran into nearby woods. Surveillance footage captured his escape, and officers arrested him shortly afterward.
When police arrived at the bookstore, they found Loncharich with a knife still embedded in her back. She was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead shortly before 9:30 p.m.
Investigators say Moore later confessed to the stabbing.
“No Motive, No Interaction”
According to the arrest affidavit, Moore told police he had no prior interaction with Loncharich and no personal motive. He allegedly described experiencing a psychotic “internal buildup” and said he attacked the “closest person in the store.”
Police confirmed Moore is homeless, has a documented history of mental illness, and had arrived in Florida by bus from Georgia just one week earlier. He had reportedly been living in the woods near the shopping area.
Moore has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder, is being held without bond, and is expected to appear in court later this week.
Shock and Fear Among Shoppers
The randomness of the attack has left fellow shoppers deeply shaken.
“It’s terrible that anybody can’t walk into a regular store without being fearful of being stabbed,” one customer told local media.
Another shopper described the incident as “shocking,” adding that losing a life in a place normally associated with calm and routine made the tragedy even harder to process.
Community Reeling, Questions Mounting
The killing has sparked renewed debate over how communities handle untreated mental illness, homelessness, and public safety—particularly in everyday spaces like bookstores and shopping centers.
For many, the loss of Rita Loncharich is not just a crime statistic, but a painful reminder of how quickly ordinary moments can turn devastating.
As the investigation continues, authorities say there is no indication the victim was targeted, underscoring the deeply unsettling nature of the attack.
A Holiday Season Forever Changed
What should have been a peaceful Christmas shopping trip became a fatal encounter that has left a family grieving and a community searching for answers.
The case continues to unfold, but the fear and sorrow it has generated will linger long after the holiday season ends.