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Inset: Antonio Serrano (Clay County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The CVS in North Kansas City, Mo., where Antonio Serrano shot and killed a store employee (Google Maps).
In a tragic incident in North Kansas City, a man from Missouri is facing charges for allegedly committing a fatal shooting at a CVS pharmacy. Antonio Serrano, aged 29, is accused of gunning down Rusty Donovan, a 42-year-old employee at the store, whom Serrano’s former romantic partner was living with. The heartbreaking event unfolded last Thursday afternoon, as detailed in court records and reported by local news outlet KMBC.
The shooting occurred around 3 p.m., as Serrano reportedly entered the store and opened fire on Donovan, discharging nearly a dozen rounds while Donovan was stationed behind the CVS counter. The police have indicated that his former lover, who is employed at the store, was not present during the attack.
As per accounts from the police and surveillance footage, Serrano initially pointed his firearm at a female employee before targeting Donovan, who was nearby. Even after Donovan fell to the ground, Serrano continued to fire, according to the authorities.
In a surprising turn of events, Serrano then asked another employee to contact emergency services, expressing his desire to surrender. Upon the arrival of law enforcement, he allegedly remarked that he could have shot the officers and could have inflicted more harm but chose not to. He also considered fleeing but ultimately decided against it.
Serrano now faces a charge of first-degree murder for his actions, which have shocked the local community and reignited discussions on workplace safety and gun violence.
Serrano allegedly said he was sorry for the shooting and that he “probably deserves life in prison” for it. He also claimed he did not know why he did it.
According to police, Serrano went to the CVS a week before the shooting and confronted another employee, which led to cops being called. It’s unclear if the worker was his former lover.
Police arrested Serrano multiple times in the past and was convicted of resisting arrest or a stop in 2019, KMBC reports.
“I commend the North Kansas City Police Department for a rapid and ongoing investigation that allowed us to file charges on this horrific crime,” said Clay County Prosecutor Zach Thompson in a statement last week. “Our prayers are for all those affected by this shocking and brutal act of violence.”
CVS also released a statement after the shooting, telling local NBC affiliate KSHB, “Counseling and support services are being offered to all store colleagues to help them cope with this senseless tragedy.”