On the evening of May 11, 2018, the Kansas City, Missouri community suffered the loss of 30-year-old male Russell J. Fisk, a well-regarded tattoo artist and business owner. Fisk was driving his 2015 BMW i8 near Northwest Barry Road and North Marston Avenue in the Northland area when he became the target of a violent attack. As he traveled home from his shop, the Black Card Tattoo Collective, another vehicle pulled alongside him.
A witness driving nearby reported seeing the passenger window of a silver car roll down before hearing a loud popping noise. Fisk was struck in the head by a gunshot, causing his vehicle to veer off the roadway and crash into a light pole. Despite the efforts of the witness who rushed to check for a pulse and the subsequent arrival of emergency responders, Fisk was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the homicide quickly connected the incident to a broader spree of violence that plagued the area that night. Authorities identified the suspect vehicle as a silver Dodge Neon, which was later discovered abandoned in a creek. On May 15, 2018, police arrested 41-year-old Arnoldo Pompa-Rascon after finding him attempting to steal a truck in a residential area. Inside his abandoned vehicle, investigators recovered a 9mm handgun ballistically linked to the crime. Pompa-Rascon was subsequently charged with first-degree murder and armed criminal action for the death of Fisk, as well as additional charges related to two other non-fatal shootings and burglaries that occurred during the same timeframe.
During police interviews, Pompa-Rascon provided disturbing details regarding his motivations. He reportedly told investigators that he heard voices instructing him to shoot people, but he claimed to use his heart to decide who was 'bad' and deserving of death. He admitted to targeting Fisk specifically because he was driving a 'luxurious' car. The legal proceedings against Pompa-Rascon faced significant delays as questions regarding his mental competency arose. In June 2019, a mental evaluation determined that he was unfit to stand trial, leading a judge to suspend the criminal proceedings and order him to the custody of the Department of Mental Health, leaving the case in a state of suspension while he underwent treatment.
