On the morning of January 16, 2026, a dispute at a Phoenix QuikTrip near 44th Street and McDowell Road ended with the death of 52-year-old Danny Lyn Kaster. According to reports, Kaster was waiting in line for the restroom when another man allegedly tried to cut in front of him; an altercation followed and the other man reportedly shot Kaster. Phoenix police and fire personnel responded about 7:45 a.m. and Kaster was taken to a hospital with at least one gunshot wound, where he later died.

The Phoenix Police Department opened a homicide investigation. Investigators arrested a suspect, identified as 25-year-old Deondre Franklin, in connection with the shooting; the probe into the circumstances of the encounter is ongoing. Kaster’s family described him as someone who was always looking out for others and said they were left in shock by what they called a senseless act of violence.

If anyone witnessed the incident at the QuikTrip that morning or has information about what led up to the altercation, please share what is known with investigators.