A Missouri man allegedly went to a CVS where his former sweetheart works and fatally shot a shop clerk she was living with eight times, later telling investigators he “could have hurt more people” — including responding cops — “but decided not to,” according to authorities.
Antonio Serrano, 29, has been charged with first-degree murder in the Thursday afternoon attack in North Kansas City that killed 42-year-old CVS worker Rusty Donovan, according to local ABC station KMBC.
Serrano fired roughly a dozen bullets at Donovan from behind the CVS counter around 3 p.m., according to authorities. A former boyfriend of his reportedly works at the store but was not present when Serrano allegedly arrived Thursday.
Serrano first entered the store and pointed his gun at a female employee behind the counter before shooting Donovan, who was close, according to police and camera footage. He apparently continued firing at Donovan when he was on the ground.
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According to authorities, Serrano begged another worker to contact 911 and stated that he intended to surrender himself in. He told arriving officers that he “could have shot the cops if he wanted to” and “could have hurt more people but decided not to,” according to authorities. He allegedly considered fleeing the scene but decided against it.
Serrano apparently apologized for the shooting and claimed he “probably deserves life in prison” for it. He also said that he didn’t know why he did it.
According to investigators, Serrano went to CVS a week before the incident and confronted another employee, prompting police to respond. It is unclear whether the worker was his old sweetheart.
Serrano had previously been detained by police and was found guilty of refusing arrest or a halt in 2019, according to KMBC.
“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 issued a statement following the shooting, telling local NBC affiliate KSHB that “counseling and support services are being offered to all store colleagues to help them cope with this senseless tragedy.”
