A Kansas City man faces first-degree murder charges after allegedly shooting a CVS employee eight times in what prosecutors describe as a domestic-related attack at a North Kansas City pharmacy last week.
Antonio Serrano, 29, was charged Friday with first-degree murder, armed criminal action and unlawful possession of a firearm following the Thursday afternoon shooting that killed 42-year-old Rusty Donovan, an employee at the CVS location at 1914 Swift Street in North Kansas City.
North Kansas City police responded to the store around 3 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, after receiving reports of a shooting. Officers found Donovan behind the checkout counter with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Surveillance video from inside the store reportedly captured the sequence of events. According to court documents, the footage shows Serrano entering the CVS and first pointing a handgun at a female employee behind the counter. The video then shows him turning the gun toward Donovan and firing approximately eight times. The footage allegedly shows Serrano continuing to shoot at Donovan after he fell to the ground.
Following the shooting, Serrano reportedly walked around the store and asked an employee to call 911, telling them he planned to turn himself in. When officers arrived, Serrano told them he was not going to hurt anyone else. However, according to court documents, he allegedly argued with a witness and threatened to kill them as well.
The attack appears to stem from a domestic dispute involving Serrano’s former partner, who works as an employee at the CVS store. Court documents indicate that Serrano had recently separated from this individual, who was living with Donovan at the time of the shooting. The former partner was not at work when the shooting occurred.
During an interview with detectives after his arrest, Serrano made several statements about the incident. According to court documents, he told investigators he could have hurt more people but decided not to. He also allegedly said he felt sorry for the shooting and did not know why he did it. “I probably deserve life in prison,” Serrano reportedly told detectives, according to court documents.
Court documents reveal that Serrano had visited the same CVS location approximately one week before the fatal shooting. During that visit, he allegedly confronted someone at the store, prompting a police response. The nature of that confrontation was not detailed in the charging documents.
Serrano’s statements to detectives included additional troubling admissions, according to court documents. He allegedly told investigators he considered running from the scene and said he could have shot the responding police officers if he wanted to.
Records show Serrano has previous criminal history. He was convicted in 2019 for resisting arrest or a stop, according to court documents.
Clay County Prosecutor Zach Thompson released a statement Friday praising the rapid investigation that led to charges being filed. “I commend the North Kansas City Police Department for a rapid and ongoing investigation that allowed us to file charges on this horrific crime,” Thompson said in the news release. “Our prayers are for all those affected by this shocking and brutal act of violence. All defendants are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.”
The shooting occurred during business hours at the busy retail location, raising concerns about workplace safety. CVS released a statement following the incident, telling local media outlets that counseling and support services are being offered to all store colleagues to help them cope with the incident.
The first-degree murder charge carries the possibility of life in prison without parole under Missouri law. Armed criminal action is a separate felony that must be served consecutively to any other sentence. The unlawful possession of a firearm charge stems from Serrano’s prior criminal conviction, which legally prohibited him from possessing firearms.
Serrano remains in custody at the Clay County Detention Center. Bond information and details about his next court appearance were not immediately available. The investigation by North Kansas City Police Department continues as prosecutors prepare their case for trial.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about domestic violence incidents spilling into workplaces, putting employees and customers at risk. Donovan’s death marks another workplace homicide in the Kansas City metropolitan area, where such incidents have drawn increased attention from law enforcement and workplace safety advocates.
North Kansas City police have not released additional information about whether any other employees or customers were inside the store at the time of the shooting or whether any security measures were in place at the location.
