Tyler Leibelt, 19, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges in the July stabbing death of Rachell Summers at Capitola Mall.
Leibelt, a Santa Cruz resident and former Cabrillo College student, entered the plea in Santa Cruz County Superior Court to felony first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon. The arraignment came nearly two weeks after the July 20 attack that killed Summers, 73, a beloved gallery manager and new grandmother, outside the Northern California shopping center.
Investigators say Leibelt took an Uber to Cabrillo College that morning before a sudden urge to kill overtook him. He allegedly shut off his cellphone, boarded a METRO bus to Capitola Mall, and purchased two switchblade knives at Big 5 Sporting Goods. Prosecutors contend he initially considered attacking an elderly Asian man before turning on Summers, who authorities say was caught entirely off guard. He allegedly stabbed her more than 11 times.
Leibelt also allegedly contemplated killing multiple people and robbing a Macy’s store before the fatal attack on Summers, according to the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
The case has drawn intense scrutiny over prior warnings about Leibelt’s behavior. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department sought a gun violence emergency protective order against him in November, citing what they described as a “desire to cause a mass casualty event.” Court records further reveal Leibelt had previously disclosed homicidal “fantasies” and griped that he “kept getting let out” of custody — a remark now fueling questions about why he was free at the time of the killing.
At the time of the attack, Leibelt was awaiting trial in a separate felony case and residing in a sober living environment.
Summers worked as gallery manager at Art of Santa Cruz, located inside the Capitola Mall. She had become a grandmother for the first time just last year, a milestone her loved ones have emphasized in the wake of her death.
“Her passing has left a deep void in the lives of everyone who loved her, especially her grandson. Rachell became a grandmother for the very first time last year, and her only grandchild will soon be celebrating his first birthday,” a GoFundMe established for Summers stated.
The fundraising page has drawn donations from across the tight-knit Santa Cruz community, where Summers was known for her warmth and dedication to local artists.
Authorities have not disclosed whether Leibelt made any statements following his arrest. His attorney, public defender Lisa McCamey, declined to comment at a prior hearing.
In the viral moment that first drew national attention to the case, a 19-year-old college student allegedly butchered a grandmother in broad daylight at a shopping mall in a quiet California beach town known more for surf breaks than violent crime. The randomness of the attack — prosecutors say Leibelt had no prior connection to Summers — and the brutal manner of her death stunned residents of Capitola and Santa Cruz alike. The case quickly became a flashpoint for debates about mental health interventions, bail reform, and whether warning signs were missed.
Leibelt remains held without bail at Santa Cruz County Jail. He is scheduled to return to court Oct. 10 for the setting of his preliminary hearing.