A 19-year-old accused of fatally stabbing a 73-year-old grandmother at a Northern California mall has pleaded not guilty to murder charges. Tyler Leibelt entered his plea Wednesday to charges including felony first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon in connection with the July 20, 2026, death of Rachell Summers outside the Capitola Mall.
Leibelt, a student at Cabrillo College, allegedly told investigators he experienced a sudden urge to kill before heading to the mall. He is accused of taking an Uber to the college, then boarding a METRO bus to Capitola Mall. Once there, he allegedly purchased two switchblade knives from a Big 5 Sporting Goods store before encountering Summers. According to the Santa Cruz Sentinel, Leibelt stabbed Summers more than 11 times.
Prosecutors stated that Leibelt was awaiting trial in another felony case and residing in a sober living environment at the time of Summers' death. Court records indicate that Leibelt had previously disclosed homicidal fantasies and expressed frustration about being released from custody. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department had sought a gun violence emergency protective order against Leibelt in November, citing his expressed "desire to cause a mass casualty event."
Leibelt allegedly considered attacking other individuals and robbing a Macy's department store within the mall before targeting Summers, whom he allegedly encountered by chance. Summers, a grandmother for the first time just last year, was a gallery manager at Art of Santa Cruz. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support a 529 college fund for her infant grandson.
Leibelt remains in custody at the Santa Cruz County Jail without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 10, when a preliminary hearing date will be set.