By Jon Chown
A 19-year-old Santa Cruz man accused of fatally stabbing a Capitola woman outside Capitola Mall planned the attack in advance, purchased two switchblade knives and then randomly selected his victim, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office.
Capitola police said officers were dispatched at about 12:47 p.m. on July 20 to reports of a stabbing near the food court exit at Capitola Mall.
A photo of Rachell Summers from a GoFundMe page raising a memorial fund for her grandson.
Officers arrived within minutes and found a woman on Clares Street near the west exit of Macy’s suffering from multiple stab wounds.
Police and later firefighters and paramedics performed life-saving measures, but the victim, 73-year-old Rachell Summers died at the scene.
Tyler Leibelt, 19, was arrested a short time later on the 1400 block of 41st Avenue. According to the complaint, Leibelt contacted 911 after the stabbing, identified himself as the suspect and remained in the area until officers took him into custody.
Leibelt has been charged with one count of murder. According to the criminal complaint, Leibelt told investigators he left a sober living environment, took an Uber to Cabrillo College, where he was studying accounting, and later decided to kill someone.
He purchased two knives and then went to Capitola Mall, where he waited for an opportunity to carry out the attack. Leibelt admitted experiencing homicidal fantasies before the attack and told detectives he had decided to kill someone that day. The filing also alleges investigators recovered a letter expressing an intent to kill multiple people before taking his own life.
While the murder was planned, the complaint alleges Leibelt selected Summers at random. Authorities say they’ve found no indication that Leibelt and Summers knew each other before the attack.
Summers worked at the mall and was the manager of Art of Santa Cruz, a nonprofit store that sells the work of local artists. According to social media, she was a mom and grandmother. A GoFundMe page has been created to raise college funds for her grandson, who is soon to turn one.
“Rachell was a loving and devoted grandmother, mom, and friend who loved her community,” wrote organizer Mya McLelan.
Leibelt was being held without bail while his arraignment was scheduled July 29, the day this publication was sent to print. The Capitola Police Department continues to investigate the case with assistance from 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.
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Police are asking anyone who witnessed the stabbing or has photographs, video or other information to contact the Capitola Police Department at (831) 475-4242.
TOP PHOTO: Capitola Police officers take suspect Tyler Leibelt into custody on July 20.