A 65-year-old woman was fatally stabbed without apparent provocation Monday in a Lake Elsinore Walmart, and the parolee suspected of the killing turned himself in to authorities.
Lonnie Hinton, 29, of Wildomar, surrendered at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station and was booked at the Cois Byrd Detention Center, according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Jarred Bishop.
The stabbing occurred just before 7 a.m. in the Supercenter at 29260 Central Ave., just off of Interstate 15, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies discovered Jessica Morales of Menifee with multiple stab wounds and rendered life-saving-measures until the arrival of paramedics, who pronounced her dead at the scene, Sgt. Wenndy Brito Gonzalez said.
Upon further investigation, investigators determined that the attack appeared random and that there had been no previous interaction between Hinton and Morales.
“Investigators learned that Hinton was released from state prison earlier this year for a robbery and was on active parole at the time of this incident,” Bishop said in a statement.
The victim had worked for Walmart for over 25 years and was a loving mother and supportive friend, a co-worker who asked not to be identified told Fox 11.
“She was a really good person. Great friend. Everybody loved her,” the coworker said. “You’re here to work and try to help customers, not for you to be stabbed or insulted, you know? You want to be safe where you work and you’re not.”
Anyone with information regarding the fatal stabbing was urged to call Investigator K. Farag or Investigator D. Robertson of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777.