A 73-year-old California store manager who had recently become a grandmother was fatally stabbed after leaving a shopping mall to cash her paycheck, and police say the 19-year-old suspect had gone to the area intending to kill a random person.
Authorities arrested Tyler Leibelt, 19, on July 21 in connection with the death of Rachell Summers, 73, who was attacked on July 20 near Capitola Mall. According to the Capitola Police Department, the killing appears to have been a “random act of violence.”
Investigators allege that Leibelt later confessed to the crime and admitted that Summers was not the first person he had considered attacking that day.
Police Say Suspect Planned Killing Before Arriving at Mall
According to court documents obtained by local NBC affiliate KSBW, Leibelt told investigators he had decided earlier that day that he wanted to kill someone.
Police said the 19-year-old was a student at Cabrillo College and told detectives that the idea first came to him while he was sitting in the college cafeteria.
Authorities allege that before traveling to Capitola Mall by bus, Leibelt stopped at a Big 5 Sporting Goods store and purchased two knives.
According to investigators, he told police he bought two weapons because he intended to hold one knife in each hand during the attack.
Investigators Say He Looked for Potential Victims
Court records indicate Leibelt searched for multiple possible victims after arriving near the mall.
Police said he considered attacking other individuals but decided against it because too many people were nearby and he feared being seen.
Investigators allege that he eventually spotted Summers walking alone along a sidewalk after she had left the mall.
According to police, Leibelt ran toward the 73-year-old from behind and began stabbing her.
Authorities said Summers cried out, saying, “Help me,” during the assault.
Police allege Leibelt stabbed her 11 times before leaving the scene.
Suspect Allegedly Went to Gas Station Before Calling Police
After the attack, investigators say Leibelt walked to a nearby gas station while still covered in blood.
According to court documents, he purchased a drink before later calling police himself and reporting what he had done.
Authorities also said Leibelt later told jail staff that he continued to have homicidal thoughts even after the killing and while being held in custody.
Previous Safety Concerns Raised Months Earlier
The investigation has also revealed previous concerns involving the suspect.
According to KSBW, a judge issued an emergency gun violence restraining order against Leibelt in November 2025 after deputies with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office requested it.
Court records state that deputies reported Leibelt had expressed a desire to carry out a mass casualty event, prompting the emergency order months before the fatal stabbing.
Victim Had Returned to Mall to Pick Up Her Paycheck
When emergency responders arrived, they found Summers suffering from multiple stab wounds.
Despite rescue efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
A coworker told KSBW that Summers had gone back to Capitola Mall that day to collect her paycheck from work.
After picking it up, she left the shopping center and was walking toward a nearby bank to cash the check when she was attacked.
Community Mourns Beloved Store Manager
Summers served as the manager of Art of Santa Cruz, a nonprofit retail store that supports local artists and their work.
Friends, coworkers, and family members remembered her as a kind and caring woman who had recently celebrated becoming a grandmother.
A GoFundMe campaign created by loved ones said Summers had been excited about her grandchild’s future and hoped to watch the child grow up and pursue an education.
Her death has left family members, coworkers, and members of the local community grieving the sudden loss.
Murder Charge Filed
Leibelt has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Summers’ death.
He remains in custody at the Santa Cruz County Jail without bail.
His next scheduled court appearance is set for July 29, when the criminal case against him is expected to continue as prosecutors pursue the charges.
Authorities have not indicated that they believe the victim and the suspect knew each other, and investigators continue to describe the stabbing as a random, targeted act of violence.
