More details released in ‘random’ killing of Capitola mall manager

More details have been released about the shocking killing of a Capitola mall manager last week in what police described as a “random act of violence.”

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Rachell Summers, 73, was at the Capitola Mall on Monday afternoon to pick up a check, a coworker told KSBW. Summers was well-known at the mall as a manager for Art of Santa Cruz, a nonprofit store that sells pieces made by local artisans. After getting her check, Summers left the mall through an exit near the food court, where she was attacked, Capitola police said. Summers’ attacker stabbed her repeatedly, and the woman died of her wounds.

The suspect, 19-year-old Tyler Leibelt, was located nearby and taken into custody without incident, police said. While in custody, police said Leibelt confessed he’d considered several random targets before deciding to stab Summers. According to court documents, Leibelt had no prior association with Summers, and he allegedly told investigators he wanted to kill someone that day. Leibelt, who is from Santa Cruz, is a Cabrillo College student studying accounting.

Impromptu tributes have sprung up around the mall for Summers. According to a GoFundMe, she recently became a grandmother for the first time, and her dream was for her grandson to pursue an education someday. The GoFundMe is raising money to create an education fund for the boy. 

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“Her passing has left a deep void in the lives of everyone who loved her, especially her grandson,” the fundraiser reads.

Anyone with information about the killing is asked to contact Capitola police at 831-475-4242. Leibelt is due back in court on Wednesday.