A tragic and senseless killing, stemming from an alleged dispute over a bathroom queue at a gas station, has left a grieving family in Phoenix, Arizona, desperately searching for justice. The incident, which occurred on the morning of January 16, resulted in the death of 52-year-old Danny Kaster, who was reportedly shot four times after a confrontation with 25-year-old Deondre Franklin at a QuikTrip store.
Details of the Fatal Altercation
According to police reports and witness statements, Danny Kaster was waiting to use the restroom when Deondre Franklin allegedly cut in front of him. Kaster informed Franklin that there was a line, which sparked a violent chain reaction. Franklin is said to have grown agitated, leading to an exchange where he reportedly told Kaster they could take the argument outside. Witnesses described Franklin pulling out a gun, with Kaster attempting to wrestle it away before being shot multiple times.
Family's Heartbreaking Account
Kaster's sister, Delca Kaster, 51, spoke exclusively about the horrifying events. She recounted that her brother simply said, "The line's back there," to which Franklin responded aggressively before opening fire. "The level of violence involved in his death is horrifying," Delca stated. She expressed a desire for an "eye for an eye" but acknowledged the limitations of the legal system.
Delca was present at Franklin's arraignment this week, where she noted he grinned when his name was called. She described her brother as a caring and nonjudgmental man who was heavily involved in his family's lives, including teaching her autistic daughter to tie her shoes. His dog, Max, waited by the door for days after the killing, highlighting the deep bond they shared.
Legal Proceedings and Family's Campaign
Deondre Franklin was arrested by the Phoenix Police Department and charged with second-degree murder with intent. He is being held on a $1 million bond. However, Delca expressed shock that Franklin faces a maximum sentence of only 25 years if convicted, as second-degree murder in Arizona is a class 1 felony with penalties ranging from 16 to 25 years for first-time offenders.
This has prompted Delca to launch a campaign to change the law. She has drafted a bill to increase the maximum penalty for second-degree murder in Arizona, stating, "It's never going to apply to my brother, but just in his honor. I don't think that any family should ever have to go through this and then just be told 'this person's only going to get 25 years.'"
Investigation and Aftermath
Police responded to the QuikTrip store just before 8 a.m. on January 16, finding Kaster lying on the floor outside the bathroom. Video footage, revealed in court filings but not publicly released, reportedly shows Franklin firing multiple shots before fleeing the scene in a gray sedan with an unidentified woman. Franklin allegedly confessed to the murder in a call to his mother, who convinced him to surrender the next day.
Delca mentioned that detectives told her Franklin cried and seemed remorseful during custody, but she dismissed this, focusing instead on her brother's legacy. "He had a life that mattered immensely," she said. "I can't let my brother go silently." The family remains in shock as they navigate their loss and fight for justice in a case that underscores the devastating impact of sudden violence.
