California mall stabbing suspects twisted past revealed before butchering beloved artist

A California teen accused of stalking and killing a 73-year-old grandmother had already been on authorities’ radar as a potential threat months before prosecutors say he randomly hunted down his alleged victim.Santa Cruz County sheriff’s deputies sought a gun violence emergency protective order against Tyler Leibelt in November after concluding he posed a serious danger.Deputies wrote in the filing that Leibelt had expressed “a desire to cause a mass casualty event.”Authorities also alleged Leibelt had a history of violence, stating: “Tyler has multiple instances of violence toward others, including a violent sexual assault against a disabled minor.”That allegation has not been publicly detailed, and records may be limited because it could have occurred while Leibelt was a juvenile, when court files are typically shielded.California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.

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Never miss a story Court records also state Leibelt previously disclosed homicidal “fantasies” and complained that he “kept getting let out” of custody, a remark expected to intensify criticism over his release while facing another felony case.Prosecutors say Leibelt was awaiting trial in another felony case and living in a sober living environment when Rachell Summers was killed on July 20.Investigators allege Leibelt’s deadly plan unfolded after he traveled by Uber to Cabrillo College, where he was an accounting student.Prosecutors say he decided it was a “done deal” that he was going to kill someone, turned off his cellphone to avoid interruptions and boarded a METRO bus to Capitola Mall to find a victim.Authorities say he stopped at Big 5 Sporting Goods, where he purchased two switchblade knives.According to prosecutors, Leibelt later told detectives he bought two blades because he wan...