Florida woman stabbed to death at Barnes & Noble store - here's what we know about the killer

A woman was fatally stabbed inside a Barnes & Noble in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on December 22, 2025. The quiet evening inside a Florida Barnes & Noble ended in tragedy days before Christmas. A 65-year-old woman was fatally stabbed inside the bookstore, sending shockwaves through the community. Police say the suspect claimed the victim was randomly targeted during a personal mental breakdown.

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What happened inside the Barnes & Noble?

Shortly before 7:53 p.m. on December 22, Palm Beach Gardens police responded to reports of a stabbing at the Barnes & Noble located at 11380 Legacy Avenue. Officers found 65-year-old Rita Berenice Loncharich inside the store with a fixed-blade knife lodged in her back, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Emergency crews rushed Loncharich to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. Despite undergoing surgery, she died at 9:22 p.m. Police records state that the victim was heard saying, “He stabbed me,” shortly after the attack, as per a report by Newsweek.


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The incident unfolded during regular store hours, turning a familiar retail space into a crime scene and leaving customers and employees shaken, as per a report by Newsweek.

Who is the suspect and how was he caught?

Investigators quickly developed a suspect description using eyewitness statements, employee accounts, and internal surveillance video from inside the bookstore. Officers located 40-year-old Antonio Roderick Moore about 1,500 feet from the store, near Fairchild Avenue and Campus Drive, hiding in a nearby wooded area.

Moore was taken into custody without incident. He told police he was originally from Alabama and had arrived in Palm Beach Gardens roughly a week earlier by bus. According to the affidavit, Moore said he was homeless and had entered the Barnes & Noble to charge his phone, as per a report by Newsweek.

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He was booked Tuesday morning on a charge of first-degree premeditated murder, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office jail records show.

Why did police say the attack was random?

According to the arrest report, Moore told investigators he had no prior interaction or connection with Loncharich. He said the attack was not motivated by anything she had done.

Moore allegedly told police he experienced an “internal build-up” while inside the store. He described a “fight or flight response” taking over and said Loncharich was simply the closest person to him at that moment.

Authorities have not indicated any additional motive beyond Moore’s statements, and investigators continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the stabbing, as per a report by Newsweek.


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What have officials and witnesses said?

Barnes & Noble declined to comment on the investigation, with a spokesperson saying the company does not discuss ongoing police matters.

Legacy Place, where the bookstore is located, issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victim and her loved ones, as per a report by Newsweek.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a customer following an incident on property. Our hearts are with the victim’s family, friends and all those impacted. Police responded quickly and a suspect was taken into custody shortly after the incident. Safety remains our top priority. We are working closely with local law enforcement, enhancing our on-site security presence and reviewing protocols with tenants,"a spokesperson told WPTV. The statement added that police responded quickly and that security measures are being reviewed and enhanced.

A customer identified as David from Jupiter Farms told CBS12 News, “It’s terrible that anybody can’t walk into a regular store without being fearful of being stabbed.”

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Moore made his first court appearance on Wednesday. The court found probable cause for the charge and ordered him held without bond. He remains in the Palm Beach County Jail as the investigation continues.

FAQs

Who was the victim in the Barnes & Noble stabbing?
The victim was 65-year-old Rita Berenice Loncharich.

Is the suspect in custody?
Yes. Antonio Roderick Moore is being held without bond on a first-degree murder charge.