Homeless man charged in Christmas Barnes & Noble stabbing demise in Florida

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The person accused of fatally stabbing a lady inside a Palm Beach Gardens Barnes & Noble days earlier than Christmas had traveled by means of a number of states earlier than getting into Florida, authorities mentioned Tuesday.

Palm Seashore Gardens police recognized the suspect as Antonio R. Moore, 40, and mentioned he's accused of killing 65-year-old Rita B. Loncharich inside the favored bookstore chain on the night of Dec. 22.

Investigators mentioned Moore shouldn't be a Florida resident and had moved by means of a number of states, together with by means of Georgia and North Carolina, earlier than coming to Florida. Police mentioned Moore boarded a bus on Dec. 15 from Orlando to Titusville after which traveled onward into Palm Seashore County.

Antonio Moore, 40, is dealing with a homicide cost following the alleged stabbing at a Barnes & Noble bookstore in Palm Seashore Gardens, Fla., on Monday, Dec. 22, 2025. (Google Maps/Palm Seashore Sheriff's Workplace)

WOMAN IN FLORIDA BARNES & NOBLE STABBED TO DEATH, POLICE SEEK MOTIVE

In accordance with the arrest affidavit obtained by WFLX Fox 29 , Moore entered the bookstore round 7:29 p.m. and Loncharich arrived shortly afterward. Investigators mentioned Moore approached Loncharich in a retailer aisle and stabbed her within the again with a pocketknife.

In accordance with the Palm Beach Post , Moore allegedly advised police a "battle or flight" response overtook him, and he took a fixed-blade knife from his jacket pocket. He reportedly advised police that he stabbed Loncharich as a result of she was the closest particular person to him on the time and mentioned he didn't have any prior interplay together with her.

A Barnes & Noble location in San Diego, Calif. (Kevin Carter/Getty Photos)

Bystanders helped the sufferer till first responders arrived, the native outlet reported. Loncharich was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Middle, the place she died during surgery .

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Police acquired a 911 name at 7:52 p.m. and positioned Moore a number of blocks from the scene minutes later. He was taken into custody with out incident.

Moore, who police say is homeless , advised investigators he had no prior relationship with the sufferer and provided no motive for the assault. In accordance with authorities, he admitted to sitting within the retailer charging his cellphone simply earlier than the stabbing.

Jail information from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office present that Moore was booked on a cost of first-degree premeditated homicide. He's being held with out bond.

The Palm Seashore Gardens Police Division mentioned it's looking for a motive within the Barnes & Noble stabbing. (Palm Seashore Gardens Police Division)

Native members of the family and group members described Loncharich as a "form, mild" particular person whose life was minimize brief throughout what ought to have been a routine vacation outing.