Man Charged in Fatal Stabbing at Barnes & Noble

A tragic incident occurred shortly before Christmas in Palm Beach Gardens, where a man, Antonio R. Moore, 40, is accused of fatally stabbing Rita B. Roncharic, 65, at a local Barnes & Noble store.

Authorities reported that Moore, who is not a Florida resident, traveled through various states, including Georgia and North Carolina, before arriving in Florida. On December 15, he took a bus from Orlando to Titusville, subsequently entering Palm Beach County.

According to police, Moore entered the bookstore around 7:29 p.m., shortly before Roncharic arrived. He allegedly approached her in an aisle and stabbed her in the back with a pocket knife.

In his statement, Moore claimed he acted on instinct, describing a “fight or flight” response, and he pulled out a fixed-blade knife from his jacket. He asserted that Roncharic was simply the nearest person to him and that they had never interacted before.

Bystanders reportedly rushed to assist Roncharic until emergency responders arrived. She was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center but unfortunately passed away during surgery.

Just after the incident, police received a 911 call at 7:52 p.m. and apprehended Moore a few blocks away without incident. During questioning, he mentioned being homeless and denied having any prior relationship with the victim, providing no clear motive for the attack.

Moore has been charged with first-degree premeditated murder and is currently being held without bond, according to jail records.

Community members and family described Roncharic as a “kind and gentle” person who lost her life during a holiday outing. The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department is actively investigating the motive behind this tragic event.