Police said the suspect was arrested soon after the attack at a shopping center.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — A 40-year-old man charged with first-degree premeditated murder was expected to face a judge on Wed. after police said a woman was stabbed inside a Barnes & Noble in Palm Beach Gardens earlier in the week and later died at a hospital.
The death of 65-year-old Rita Loncharich stunned shoppers at the Legacy Place shopping center and left detectives trying to explain what triggered the violence. Police said the stabbing happened around 8 p.m. Mon., and they have not announced a motive or described any prior connection between Loncharich and the suspect, Antonio Moore. The case now moves through early court steps while investigators continue interviews and review evidence from inside the store.
Police said officers were dispatched to the Barnes & Noble on Legacy Avenue after a report of a stabbing. When they arrived, they found Loncharich inside the store and immediately began providing aid, according to police statements. She was transported to a local hospital but died from her injuries later that night. Investigators said witnesses reported seeing a man flee the store after the stabbing, and officers began searching the area as the bookstore was treated as a crime scene.
Moore was arrested not long after the attack, police said, and jail records listed the charge as first-degree premeditated murder. Authorities have not described where Moore was found, what led officers to him, or whether he was stopped based on witness descriptions, surveillance video, or other evidence. Police also have not released details about the weapon in public statements, though they described the incident as a stabbing and said the victim suffered stab wounds.
Loncharich’s husband told a local TV station that his wife called him on her cellphone shortly after the attack to say she had been stabbed. Police have not publicly confirmed the content of that call, but the account underscored how quickly the incident unfolded. Authorities did not say how many people were inside the store at the time, whether employees tried to intervene, or whether customers provided first aid before officers arrived.
The shopping center’s management released a statement expressing sadness over the customer’s death and said police responded quickly. The statement said a suspect was taken into custody shortly after the incident and that safety remained a top priority at the property. The shopping center also said it was working closely with law enforcement and reviewing security protocols with tenants. Police did not say whether additional security was requested for the area as the investigation continues.
Investigators said they were still trying to determine why Loncharich was attacked. Police have not said whether they believe the stabbing was targeted or random. They also have not released information about Moore’s background beyond his age and the charge, and they have not said whether he has a known connection to the shopping center or the store. Police typically seek witness statements, digital records, and video as they build a timeline, but detectives did not outline the evidence they have gathered so far.
At Moore’s first appearance, a judge could review the charge, address whether Moore qualifies for bond under Florida law, and set dates for future hearings. Prosecutors may ask to keep Moore in custody while the case is prepared, and a public defender or private attorney could begin arguing about early evidence and procedure. Police have not announced when they expect to provide a fuller briefing, and investigators did not release a detailed probable cause narrative in their initial public statements.
Residents who shop at Legacy Place described the bookstore as a place families visit for coffee, gifts, and quiet browsing, and the killing left people uneasy about public safety in everyday locations. Police said the investigation remained active and asked anyone with information about what happened inside the store to contact detectives. They said more details could be released as court proceedings begin and the investigation progresses.
As of Wed., police had identified the victim and the suspect, but they had not provided a motive or a detailed account of the moments leading up to the stabbing.
Author note: Last updated December 24, 2025.