Phoenix man arrested for fatal gas station shooting of Danny Kaster
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The man accused of killing a 52-year-old man in a shooting at a Phoenix gas station previously faced a weapons-related charge, court records show.
Deondre Stephon Franklin, 25, was charged in 2020 with possession of a deadly weapon while under 21 and underage drinking, according to Peoria Municipal Court records.
Records show the case was dismissed by prosecutors after Franklin complied with court-ordered conditions, including substance evaluation and training. The case did not result in a conviction.
Franklin is currently charged with a fatal shooting that police say occurred during a routine morning stop at a QuikTrip gas station.
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Deondre Franklin, 25, is seen in a booking photo. Franklin was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting at a gas station in Phoenix, authorities said. (Fox 10 Phoenix)
Phoenix Police say 52-year-old Danny Lyn Kaster was shot and killed during a morning shooting at QuikTrip in Phoenix on Jan. 16. Officers responded to gunshots around 7:45 a.m. and found Kaster suffering from at least one gunshot wound.
Phoenix Fire crews took Kaster to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries, police said.
Homicide detectives began an investigation and were able to identify Franklin as the suspect. A day after the shooting, Franklin was arrested and charged with one count of murder, according to Phoenix Police Public Information Sgt. Rob Scherer.
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Police tape and officers were seen near the area of 19th Street and Baseline in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, November 22, as officers responded to a shooting. (Phoenix Police via X)
He is being held on $1 million bail and is scheduled to return to court Jan. 23, records show. The investigation remains active.
Authorities did not elaborate on a possible motive or whether the two men knew each other before the encounter.
Kaster’s family told FOX 10 Phoenix The conflict stemmed from what they described as a seemingly casual interaction at the gas station.
According to family members, Franklin allegedly tried to block Kaster while she was waiting in line to use the restroom. When Kaster intervened, the family said Franklin shot him.
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Danny Lyn Kaster, 52, is seen with his dogs in an undated photo. Kaster was later killed in a shooting, authorities said. (Fox 10 Phoenix)
“He was killed during the most casual interaction,” family members told the station, adding “it could have been anyone.”
Kaster was taken to the hospital after the shooting but died a short time later, his family said.
Loved ones told FOX 10 Phoenix they now want the world to know who Kaster was beyond the circumstances of his death, describing him as a special person who took his life too soon.
Police did not say whether the attack was recorded on security camera or whether a gun was seized.
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Investigators are urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact Silent Witness.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Arizona Department of Corrections for comment.
Stepheny Price covers crimes including missing persons, murders and immigration crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
