Authorities in Florida are delving into the tragic death of a 65-year-old woman who succumbed to stab wounds inflicted inside a Barnes & Noble bookstore located in Palm Beach Gardens.

This unsettling event unfolded around 8 p.m. on Monday at the Legacy Place shopping center, as reported by WPTV. The victim, identified as Rita Loncharich, was attacked in a setting usually associated with calm and intellectual pursuit.

According to eyewitness accounts, 40-year-old Antonio Moore fled the scene immediately after the stabbing. Responding police officers discovered Loncharich in distress within the bookstore. Despite being swiftly transported to a nearby hospital, she did not survive her injuries.

The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department has labeled the investigation as both “active and ongoing.” They are currently working to uncover any potential motives behind this brutal attack, as detailed in a statement shared with ABC News.

Antonio Moore, now facing a murder charge, is at the center of this harrowing case. As the community grapples with the shock of this incident, questions about what led to such violence in an otherwise peaceful locale remain unanswered.

Jail records from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office show that Moore was booked on a charge of first-degree premeditated murder.

Loncharich’s husband said to CBS12 that his wife called him on her cell phone Monday night to inform him that she had been attacked. 

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a customer following an incident on property,” Legacy Place told WPTV.  

A Barnes & Noble location in San Diego, Calif. (Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

“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,” it added.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Barnes & Noble for comment. 

The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department said it is searching for a motive in the Barnes & Noble stabbing. (Palm Beach Gardens Police Department)

Moore reportedly will make his first court appearance Wednesday morning.