Rita Loncharich Palm Beach Gardens, Fla Incident: Rita Loncharich Mortally Wounded at Barnes and Noble in Palm Beach Gardens – Perpetrator Detained

 Rita Loncharich

Palm Beach Gardens, Fla

Stabbing – On the night of December 22, 2025, the city of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, experienced a tragic stabbing at a local bookstore. Rita B. Loncharich, age 65, was fatally injured inside Barnes & Noble, situated at 11380 Legacy Avenue, Legacy Place. The incident took place at approximately 7:53 p.m., leading to a rapid response by police and emergency services.

Reports indicate that Loncharich was taken to a local hospital by Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue. Despite the medical team's efforts to assist her, she ultimately passed away due to her injuries. The community is grappling with the shock and senselessness of this act of violence occurring in a place typically known for leisure and education.

Law enforcement quickly pinpointed a suspect linked to the stabbing. Eyewitnesses observed a man fleeing the store on foot immediately after the incident. Authorities later identified the suspect as 40-year-old Antonio R. Moore. Police pursued Moore and located him, apprehending him in the early morning of December 23. At around 5:30 a.m., he was booked into the Palm Beach County Jail and is being held without bail. Moore faces charges for first-degree murder.

As of December 23, 2025, no motive for the stabbing has been disclosed by officials, leaving family, friends, and community members seeking explanations. The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department is actively reviewing the details surrounding the incident and has requested that anyone with information reach out at (561) 799-4584.

The heartbreaking death of Rita Loncharich has profoundly affected the local area. Residents and guests at Legacy Place have expressed their disbelief regarding the violent event, highlighting the need for vigilance and safety in environments often deemed secure. Authorities are encouraging witnesses or individuals with further information to step forward to assist in the investigation.

This incident illustrates the necessity for prompt responses from law enforcement in violent crime situations and emphasizes the vital role community involvement plays in resolving these matters. As the investigation progresses, it is anticipated that updates concerning Moore's trial, legal developments, and any discovered motive will shed more light on the situation for the public.

While mourning the untimely death of Rita Loncharich, the Palm Beach Gardens community is displaying resilience and solidarity, providing support to her family, and collaborating closely with law enforcement to ensure that justice is achieved.