A shocking and tragic event unfolded at a Barnes & Noble in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, where a man fatally stabbed a 65-year-old woman. According to police reports, the attack was seemingly random, as the victim was simply the closest person to the assailant at the time.

The incident took place shortly before 8 p.m. on Monday at the bookstore located on Legacy Avenue. Upon responding to the scene, officers discovered the victim, identified as Rita Loncharich, with a knife lodged in her back. Despite being rushed to a hospital, she sadly succumbed to her injuries during surgery, as noted in a probable cause arrest affidavit.

Through witness interviews and a review of surveillance footage, police were able to piece together a description of the suspect. This led them to apprehend 40-year-old Antonio Moore, who was found approximately a quarter-mile from the bookstore.

Moore, who had recently arrived in the area from Georgia, allegedly confessed to authorities that he had no prior connection to Loncharich before the attack. He claimed to have been in Palm Beach Gardens for about a week, having traveled by bus from Georgia, and was in the bookstore charging his phone when the tragic event occurred.

Moore allegedly told police he had been in the area for about a week after taking a bus from Georgia. He was charging his phone in the store when the incident occurred. He allegedly admitted to officers that he had no prior interaction with the victim before fatally stabbing her.

“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,” cops wrote. “Antonio took the fixed blade knife he had inside his jacket pocket and stabbed Rita in the back.”

Moore said he heard Loncharich say, “He stabbed me.” She seemed “to be in shock” with being stabbed, he allegedly said. He then ran into some nearby woods until he was located by law enforcement.

The suspect is facing a first-degree murder charge. He is being held without bond in the Palm Beach County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 22.

Management for Legacy Place shopping plaza, where the stabbing occurred, released the following statement to local NBC affiliate WPTV:

“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.”