Born in Carthage, Missouri, and a lifelong resident of the surrounding area, Carissa L. Gerard was a 38-year-old female known for her infectious laugh and dedication to healthcare. She had graduated from Carthage High School in 1995 and spent her adult life working to care for others, while also nurturing a deep love for animals, including her own pets which she referred to as her daughters.
By June 2015, she was living at a residence in west Joplin, Missouri, having opened her home to a friend, Kristina Thompson, who had recently separated from her husband. The arrangement, intended to be a safe haven for Kristina, tragically became the focal point of a violent confrontation.
On the morning of June 10, 2015, the quiet atmosphere of the home was shattered when Kristina's estranged husband, Stephen R. Thompson, arrived at the property. Fueled by anger over his wife’s departure and her decision to move in with Carissa, Stephen confronted the two women. The situation escalated rapidly as the women attempted to flee from him. Desperate to escape the imminent danger, Carissa and Kristina ran to the backyard and tried to climb over a fence to safety. It was in these terrifying moments that Stephen discharged a twelve-gauge shotgun, striking both women as they struggled to get away.
Law enforcement officers rushed to the scene after reports of the shooting, finding a chaotic and devastating tableau. Carissa had sustained fatal injuries during the attack and was pronounced dead at the scene, her life cut short by the senseless act of violence. Kristina, though critically wounded by the gunfire, survived the assault and was able to provide testimony about the harrowing events. She recounted the fear they felt and their desperate attempt to seek help from a neighbor before the shots were fired. The community, particularly those who knew Carissa as a 'class clown' and a compassionate friend, was left reeling from the brutality of the crime.
The pursuit of justice for Carissa spanned several years, culminating in a courtroom in September 2021. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Stephen Thompson had acted with premeditation, driven by his rage over the separation. Although defense attorneys attempted to argue for a lesser charge by claiming the act lacked the necessary premeditation for a first-degree conviction, the jury remained unconvinced. Stephen Thompson was found guilty on all counts, including first-degree murder for the death of Carissa, first-degree domestic assault for the attack on his wife, and two counts of armed criminal action. The verdict brought a measure of closure to a case that had cast a long shadow over the Joplin community for six years.
