Florida Bookstore Stabbing Leaves Community Shaken After Random Attack

A fatal stabbing inside a Palm Beach Gardens Barnes & Noble has stunned the community. Police say the attack happened on December 22 inside the busy store. A 65-year-old woman, Rita B. Loncharich, died after being stabbed by a man she did not know. The suspect is 40-year-old Antonio Roderick Moore. The Florida bookstore stabbing has raised new worries about safety in public spaces.

According to information reported by USA Today, police say the attack came without warning. Moore told officers he had no motive and acted on a sudden “fight or flight” feeling. Witnesses led police to Moore soon after the incident. He was found in a wooded area near the store and taken into custody.

Florida Bookstore Stabbing Details and Police Findings

Police reports show Moore arrived in Florida from Georgia one week before the attack. He went into the bookstore that evening with a bag and sat to charge his phone. The report says he then stood up, pulled out a fixed-blade knife, and stabbed the nearest person. That person was Loncharich, who was browsing nearby.

According to Reuters and USA Today, Moore did not know the victim and had never spoken to her. Police say there was no dispute. The attack was fast and silent. Staff and shoppers called 911 as the scene unfolded. Officers reached the store within minutes.

Loncharich was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center. Doctors tried to save her during emergency surgery. She died shortly afterward. Police found Moore about 1,500 feet from the store. They report he surrendered and said he had “no reason” for the crime.

Moore now faces a first-degree murder charge. A judge denied bail and assigned a public defender during a December 24 hearing. The public defender’s office said it cannot comment on open cases.

Impact on Public Safety and Community Concerns

The Florida bookstore stabbing has raised concern about random violence in everyday places. Many residents say bookstores feel safe and calm, especially during the holidays. The sudden attack shook that feeling.

National data shows knife attacks make up about 9 percent of U.S. homicides, according to numbers cited by USA Today. That is more than 7,500 cases over five years. Experts say these attacks are harder to predict because they do not need planning or distance.

The Barnes & Noble reopened the next day. Shoppers returned quietly. Some knew what had happened. Others did not. Staff declined to comment when asked about the incident. Many customers said they felt uneasy but wanted to support the store during the holiday season.

This event has left the community with many questions. People want to know how to feel safe in simple spaces again. Police say the investigation continues. More details may come from court filings and medical reports.

The Florida bookstore stabbing will stay in local memory for years. It was sudden, random, and tragic. It also reminds many people how fragile public safety can be in everyday life.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What happened in the Florida bookstore stabbing?

A woman was stabbed inside a Barnes & Noble in Palm Beach Gardens. Police say the attack was random. The victim died in surgery.

Q2: Who is the suspect?

The suspect is Antonio Roderick Moore. Police say he had no motive and did not know the victim.

Q3: Where was the suspect found?

Police found Moore in a wooded area near the store. They say he surrendered without a struggle.

Q4: Is the bookstore open again?

Yes, the store reopened the next day. Shoppers returned, though the mood was quiet.

Q5: What charges does the suspect face?

Moore faces a charge of first-degree murder. A judge ordered he be held without bail.

Trusted Sources: USA Today, Reuters, Associated Press