A 65-year-old woman was fatally stabbed inside a Barnes & Noble in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on Monday, December 22, 2025, in what authorities describe as an unprovoked attack. Rita Berenice Loncharich died during surgery at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach after being stabbed in the back while shopping at the Legacy Place shopping center.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:53 p.m. at the bookstore located at 11380 Legacy Avenue. Officers responding to the scene found Loncharich unresponsive inside the store. Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue transported her to the hospital, where emergency surgery was performed, but she succumbed to her injuries.
Antonio Roderick Moore, 40, was arrested shortly after the attack and charged with first-degree murder. Officers located Moore in woods near the store. He was taken into custody without incident. Judge Donald Hafele denied bail for Moore during his initial court appearance.
Moore told Palm Beach Gardens police he had been in the store charging his cellphone when the incident occurred. The suspect retrieved a fixed-blade knife from his jacket pocket and stabbed Loncharich, who he said was the closest person to him at the time. Moore indicated he had no prior interaction with the victim.
The suspect cited what he described as a fight or flight response as the reason for the attack. “Antonio stated that there was an internal build up that led to his fight or flight response kicking in with Rita being the closest person inside the store,” police documented in their arrest report. Moore admitted stabbing Loncharich and then fleeing from the store. He did not provide investigators with a motive for the stabbing.
Moore had come to Florida from Georgia by bus. On December 15, he traveled from Orlando to Titusville. Moore had been in the Palm Beach Gardens area for approximately one week before the attack. The suspect traveled through North Carolina before arriving in Florida. Palm Beach Gardens police described Moore as homeless.
The attack represents one of thousands of knife-related homicides that occur annually in the United States. Random acts of violence in retail settings, while relatively rare, pose unique challenges for law enforcement and store security. Such incidents often occur without warning and provide little opportunity for intervention, particularly when the attacker has no prior connection to the victim. Bookstores, traditionally viewed as quiet, peaceful environments, are generally considered low-risk locations for violent crime.
Loncharich, a resident of Stuart, Florida, worked as a server at Rancho Chico restaurant in Tequesta for more than a decade. The victim was originally from Peru and had lived in Oregon before relocating to Florida. She had one daughter named Pierina, who recently married. Loncharich was married to Jorge Loncharich.
Eric Velazquez, who worked with Loncharich at the restaurant, remembered her fondly. “I’ve never seen her complain and never seen her angry,” Velazquez said. “In the 10 plus years, she’s never had one issue with any customers or me. She was one-of-a-kind, and a very gentle and nice person.”
The Rancho Chico restaurant in Tequesta closed on December 29 so staff members could attend Loncharich’s funeral. The service was held in Boynton Beach. Loncharich’s coworkers described her as creating a family atmosphere at work, treasuring her relationships with fellow employees.
Outside of work, Loncharich enjoyed traveling and going to the beach with her husband. Those who knew her described her as kind, gentle and loving. The timing of the attack, occurring just three days before Christmas during the holiday shopping season, intensified the shock felt by the community and Loncharich’s loved ones.
Andrew Scearce, who works with Jorge Loncharich at a dealership, organized an online fundraiser to help the family with expenses. The fundraiser raised more than $15,000. Scearce attended Loncharich’s funeral and noted that speakers consistently described her as having the kindest demeanor.
The Legacy Place shopping center, located off PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens, is a popular retail destination in northern Palm Beach County. The area is typically considered safe, making the violent incident particularly jarring for local residents and shoppers. Store surveillance footage and witness accounts helped investigators quickly identify and locate Moore after he fled the scene.
Moore is being represented by the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office. As a matter of policy, that office does not comment on open cases. He remains in the Palm Beach County Jail without bond on the first-degree murder charge.
First-degree murder charges in Florida carry severe penalties, including potential life imprisonment or the death penalty. Prosecutors must prove premeditation to secure a conviction on such charges. The fact that Moore brought a knife into the store and used it against a stranger may factor into how prosecutors approach the case, though the suspect’s claim of a sudden psychological response could become relevant to his defense strategy.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about mental health issues and violence involving individuals experiencing homelessness. While the vast majority of homeless individuals pose no threat to public safety, the intersection of untreated mental illness, transience and access to weapons can create dangerous situations. Moore’s account of an internal buildup and involuntary response suggests possible psychological factors that may be examined as the case proceeds through the criminal justice system.
For the Tequesta restaurant community and Loncharich’s family, the loss remains difficult to process. Velazquez described the shock of learning about her death from her husband Jorge. The tragedy serves as a reminder of how random violence can shatter lives and communities, particularly during a season typically associated with joy and family gatherings. The fact that Loncharich was simply completing last-minute holiday shopping when she was attacked underscores the senseless nature of the crime.
Palm Beach Gardens police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the stabbing. The department worked with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and deployed drones and canine units in the immediate search for Moore after the attack. Officers arrived on scene within minutes of receiving the 911 call and provided aid to Loncharich before fire rescue transported her to the hospital.
The investigation revealed no apparent connection between Moore and Loncharich, reinforcing the random nature of the attack. Surveillance footage showed both individuals in the same section of the bookstore shortly before the stabbing occurred.
