A California parolee, recently released from prison, fatally stabbed a Walmart employee on Monday, authorities reported.
Lonnie Hinton, aged 29, surrendered to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department following the unprovoked attack.
The sheriff’s department noted, “This appears to be a random event, and there was no interaction between the suspect and the victim prior to the assault.”
The suspect in the murder of the store employee of where i live is Lonnie Hinton. He was let out after being convicted of a previous stabbing which is basically attempted murder. Our justice system failed to protect the old lady who was killed and it happened close to home. pic.twitter.com/ev2K5dals2
— Majority Rogers (@MajorityRo38764) August 6, 2024
Deputies responded to reports of an assault with a deadly weapon at a Walmart in Lake Elsinore, located 70 miles southeast of Los Angeles, around 7 a.m.
Jessica Morales, 65, from Menifee, was found with multiple stab wounds upon officers’ arrival. Despite receiving medical attention, she died at the store.
“She was a really good person. Great friend. Everybody loved her,” a coworker, who chose to remain anonymous, said of Morales. Morales had worked at Walmart for over 25 years.
Hinton surrendered to authorities at the sheriff’s Lake Elsinore station later that day. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and booked into the Cois Byrd Detention Center.
Hinton had been released from state prison earlier this year after serving time for robbery and was on parole during the incident.
The motive for the killing remains undisclosed. Walmart expressed being “heartbroken” over Morales’ death.
“The facility will remain closed as we work with police during their investigation,” the retail chain stated. “We offer our condolences and support to the family during this difficult time and will continue working with our associates, providing support as needed.”