An employee was stabbed to death at a Lake Elsinore Walmart Monday morning, authorities said.
Riverside County sheriff’s deputies responded to the Walmart in the 29000 block of Central Avenue shortly after 7 a.m. following reports of an assault with a deadly weapon. The suspect, 29-year-old Lonnie Hinton, allegedly stabbed Jessica Morales, an employee at the store, according to Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.
Morales, 65, received medical treatment but died at the scene.
Hinton, of Wildomar, later turned himself in at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station and was arrested on suspicion of murder. Hinton was released from state prison earlier this year on robbery charges and was on parole at the time of the attack, investigators said.
“This appears to be a random event,” authorities said. “There was no interaction between the suspect and the victim prior to the assault.”
“We are heartbroken by what has happened at our Lake Elsinore store,” a Walmart spokesperson said in a statement. “The facility will remain closed as we cooperate with the police during their investigation. We extend our condolences and support to the family during this difficult time and will continue to work with our staff and provide support as needed.”