Woman is stabbed to death inside Southern California Walmart

A 65-year-old Walmart employee was stabbed to death inside a Lake Elsinore store last week.

Jessica Morales, from Menifee, has been identified as the victim, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Officers responded to a report of a fatal weapon attack at the Walmart located at 29000 Block of Central Avenue at 7 a.m. Morales was later declared dead at the scene.

Lonnie Hinton, 29, from Wildomar, was arrested as a prime suspect after he turned himself in at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station. Hinton was released from state prison earlier this year for robbery and was currently under parole.

The Sheriff's Department reported that the assault was random, with no prior contact between the suspect and the victim before the attack. 

A Walmart employee told Eyewitness News that Morales and Hinton had prior contact inside the store. According to the employee's version, Hinton was mad because Morales couldn't unlock a cabinet.

Walmart stated: "We're heartbroken by what's 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."