CAPITOLA — Local authorities have identified the 73-year-old victim as well as the alleged perpetrator of Monday’s fatal stabbing outside the Capitola Mall.
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Capitola resident Rachell Summers was purportedly stabbed to death by 19-year-old Santa Cruz resident Tyler Leibelt in what police officials are calling a “random act of violence.”
After receiving reports at approximately 12:47 p.m. Monday of a stabbing near the mall’s food court exit, Capitola police discovered Summers on Clares Street across from Macy’s on the west side of the mall with multiple stab wounds, according to a social media release by the Capitola Police Department. Officers immediately began performing lifesaving care before they were relieved by personnel from the Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County and the American Medical Response, but Summers was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.
Crime scene tape is stretched across Clares Street parking lots at the Capitola Mall Monday. (Shmuel Thaler — Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Police officers and sheriff’s deputies at the scene of Monday’s fatal stabbing. (Shmuel Thaler — Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Incident screens surround the body of a 73-year-old woman killed at the Capitola Mall Monday. (Shmuel Thaler — Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Employees of businesses at the Capitola Mall wait behind crime scene tape to retrieve their vehicles following Monday’s stabbing. (Shmuel Thaler — Santa Cruz Sentinel)
Santa Cruz County sheriff’s deputies process Monday’s crime scene. An adult man authorities suspect committed the stabbing is in custody. (Shmuel Thaler — Santa Cruz Sentinel)
After placing the mall under an hourslong lockdown, Leibelt was located in the area and taken into custody on the 1400 block of 41st Avenue. Capitola police Chief Sarah Ryan told the Sentinel that Leibelt called local law enforcement authorities to turn himself in.
Capitola police investigators have found no indication that Summers and Leibelt knew each other prior to the incident, which has led them to conclude at this time that the attack was random, according to the release.
Leibelt was booked Monday into the Santa Cruz County Jail and is being held without bail as of Tuesday. He was charged with first degree murder and commission of a felony while out on bail or own recognizance, a felony offense and prior felony sentencing enhancement, respectively.
Capitola Mall managers posted on social media that the Mid County retail and business complex had resumed regular hours Tuesday.
Other agencies involved in the ongoing response and investigation include the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services Unit, the county District Attorney’s Office and the Santa Cruz Anti-Crime Team. The California Highway Patrol, Santa Cruz Police Department, Watsonville Police Department and California State Parks also assisted in Monday’s response.
Officials underscored that the attack was an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
Because the stabbing occurred in a public setting, detectives have asked anyone who witnessed the attack or has photographs, video recordings or other information that could assist with the investigation to contact the Capitola Police Department at 831-475-4242.
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