A local artist was killed outside the Capitola Mall on Monday in an incident that police described as a “random act of violence” \u2014 the 73-year-old art gallery manager was a stranger to the 19-year-old accused of suddenly and viciously attacking her, authorities say.<\/p>\n
Rachell Summers died after suffering multiple stab wounds, police said.<\/p>\n
Court records indicate Tyler Leibelt of Santa Cruz has been charged with murder and several sentencing enhancements, including use of a deadly weapon and killing while lying in wait.<\/p>\n
The slaying occurred at 12:47 p.m. near the food court exit of the Santa Cruz County mall, according to the Capitola Police Department<\/a>.<\/p>\n Police arrived and found Summers injured on a street adjacent to the mall. Officers tried lifesaving measures, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.<\/p>\n Leibelt was found by police about half a mile from the scene, in the 1400 block of 41st Avenue, Capitola police said in a statement.<\/p>\n “Based on the investigation to date, detectives believe this was a random act of violence, and there is no indication that the suspect and victim knew one another prior to the attack,” police said in a Facebook post<\/a>.<\/p>\n Summers managed the Art of Santa Cruz gallery, which is inside the Capitola Mall.<\/p>\n In an Instagram post, the gallery announced it would be closed until Saturday.<\/p>\n “We are mourning the loss of our gallery manager, Rachell Summers,” the post reads.<\/p>\n News of the random, deadly attack shook the beachside community, with residents taking to social media to recall the beloved artist.<\/p>\n “This is so tragic,” one person commented on the gallery’s post, noting that Summers had recently bid on an orchid print they were preparing for her.<\/p>\n She “was such a delight to talk with every time I went in,” another person commented. “Her presence will be missed.”<\/p>\n Local news station KSBW reported a memorial was set up outside the mall to honor Summers.<\/p>\n “You cannot, you cannot process that,” an emotional co-worker, Marilyn Gwynn, told KSBW<\/a>. “It’s too hard. It’s too hard.”<\/p>\n