Woman stabbed to death inside Southern California Walmart

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. - County investigators are trying to determine why a man stabbed a woman to death inside a Lake Elsinore Walmart on Monday before turning himself in.

Crime tape and sorrow enveloped the Walmart, located on Central Ave., where a 65-year-old longtime employee was fatally stabbed inside the store around 7 a.m. while other shoppers were present.

"She was a really good person. Great friend. Everybody loved her," said one coworker, who wished to remain anonymous. The coworker mentioned that the victim had worked at Walmart for over 25 years and was a loving mother and supportive friend.

"You're here to work and try to help customers, not for you to be stabbed or insulted, you know? You want to be safe where you work and you're not," she added.

Even more baffling, deputies reported that the man who stabbed her appeared to have no connection to the victim. He later turned himself in at the sheriff's station.

"Deputies learned that the suspect's name was Lonnie Hinton, 29, of William, Mass. He had been just released earlier this year from prison and was currently on parole," said one official. Deputies noted that Hinton had recently served time for burglary but could not specify the duration of his sentence or why he was released.

In a statement, Walmart said, "We're heartbroken by what has happened at our Lake Elsinore store. The facility will remain closed as we work with police during their investigation. We offer our condolences and support to the family during this difficult time and will continue working with our associates, providing support as needed."

"Just be safe. All employees at Walmart be safe," urged the anonymous coworker.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department continues to investigate the incident.