Homeless Man Charged in Fatal Barnes & Noble Stabbing in Palm Beach Gardens
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — A homeless man who traveled through several states before arriving in Florida has been charged with the fatal stabbing of a 65-year-old woman inside a Barnes & Noble bookstore just days before Christmas. Authorities identified the suspect as 40-year-old Antonio R. Moore, who allegedly attacked Rita B. Loncharich in a random act with no prior relationship between the two.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Moore entered the bookstore around 7:29 p.m. on December 22, 2025. Loncharich arrived shortly after, and investigators say Moore approached her in an aisle and stabbed her in the back with a pocketknife. Bystanders immediately intervened and provided aid until first responders arrived. Loncharich was rushed to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where she later died during surgery.
Police reports reveal that Moore told investigators he was overtaken by a “fight or flight” response and took a fixed-blade knife from his jacket pocket. He stated that he stabbed Loncharich because she was the closest person to him at the time and that he had no prior interaction or motive for the attack. Moore was apprehended minutes later several blocks from the scene without incident.
Investigators have traced Moore’s movements through multiple states, including Georgia and North Carolina, before he arrived in Florida. Records show he boarded a bus from Orlando to Titusville on December 15 and then traveled onward to Palm Beach County. Authorities confirmed he is not a Florida resident and is currently homeless.
Moore was booked on a charge of first-degree premeditated murder and is being held without bond, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office jail records. The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department continues to investigate the motive behind the stabbing.
Local community members and family have described Loncharich as a “kind, gentle” woman whose life was tragically cut short during what should have been a routine holiday shopping trip. The incident has shaken the community, raising concerns about public safety in retail spaces during the holiday season.
The case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing violent crimes involving transient individuals. The Federal Bureau of Investigation notes that random acts of violence can be difficult to predict and prevent, especially when the suspect has no known ties to the victim.
As the investigation continues, officials urge anyone with additional information to contact the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department. This tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictability of violence and the importance of community vigilance.
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