Woman at Barnes & Noble Is Allegedly Stabbed to Death by Stranger Days Before Christmas: 'Closest Person Inside the Store' By Christine Pelisek

A 65-year-old woman was stabbed in the back at a Barnes & Noble store in Florida.

Antonio Moore, 40, was arrested on a charge of first-degree premeditated murder in connection with the death of Rita Loncharich.

According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, Moore admitted to stabbing Loncharich in the back with a fixed-blade knife in the Barnes & Noble in Palm Beach Gardens on Monday, Dec. 22.

“Antonio stated there was no prior interaction with Rita, or motive as to why he stabbed Rita in the back,” the affidavit alleges. “Antonio stated there was an internal buildup that led to his fight or flight response kicking in with Rita being the closest person inside the store.”

Moore allegedly told investigators he heard Loncharich say, “He stabbed me” and “seemed to be shocked [about] the attack,” the affidavit states.

Officers were called to the store shortly before 8 p.m. and found Loncharich with a knife in her back.

She was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where she died from her injuries.

Moore allegedly ran out of the store following the stabbing, according to police. 

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Witnesses provided a description, and investigators located Moore about 1,500 feet from the entrance of the store.

Moore told investigators that he had been in Palm Beach Gardens for about a week, arriving from Georgia via bus.

Moore is being held without bond. It’s unclear if he has entered a plea.

Barnes & Noble could not be reached for comment.