Police Identify Victim and Suspect in Fatal Capitola Mall Stabbing Incident
CAPITOLA, CA — The Capitola Police Department and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office have identified the victim and suspect in a fatal stabbing that occurred Monday afternoon near the Capitola Mall.
At approximately 12:47 p.m., police responded to reports of a stabbing near the food court exit of the mall. Officers arrived to find an adult female suffering from multiple stab wounds on Clares Street, across from the Macy’s west exit. Officers, along with Central Fire personnel and American Medical Response, performed life-saving measures, but the victim died at the scene.
Authorities have identified the victim as 73-year-old Rachell Summers of Capitola.
Shortly after the incident, officers located and arrested the suspect in the 1400 block of 41st Avenue. He has been identified as 19-year-old Tyler Leibelt. According to investigators, the stabbing appears to be a random act of violence, with no indication that Leibelt and Summers knew each other prior to the attack.
The Capitola Police Department is conducting the investigation alongside the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Services Unit, the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office, and the Santa Cruz Anti-Crime Team. Assisting agencies included the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, Santa Cruz Police, Watsonville Police, and California State Parks.
Police stated that this was an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the community.
