Man Killed at Gas Station After Confrontation Over Bathroom Line

A routine stop at a Phoenix gas station turned deadly after a man was allegedly shot while trying to stop someone from cutting the bathroom line.

Danny Lyn Kaster, 52, was waiting to use the restroom at a QuikTrip near East Oak Street on the morning of Jan. 16 when the situation escalated, according to police and family members.

Phoenix police say a 25-year-old man, later identified as Deondre Franklin, allegedly tried to cut ahead of others waiting for the bathroom. When Kaster intervened, Franklin allegedly shot him in the head.

Officers with the Phoenix Police Department responded to the scene around 7:45 a.m. Kaster was rushed to a nearby hospital by firefighters but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Homicide detectives were called in to investigate.

Franklin was arrested the following day and booked on a charge of second-degree murder, according to court records.

Kaster’s sister, Delca Kaster, told Fox 13 the family is still reeling from the loss.

“We’re all honestly in shock,” she said. “He left for work on Friday. Now he’s never coming home.”

She described the shooting as a senseless act of violence, emphasizing that her brother was not aggressive or looking for trouble.

“He was just a man starting out his work day,” Delca said. “My brother was more than this tragedy. He was a son, a brother, someone deeply loved. He had a life — his relationships, his dog Max, his prized truck — and a future that was stolen in an instant.”

Family members said Danny was known for his generosity and humor. Delca described them as “thicker than thieves” growing up, adding that her brother would “give you the shirt off his back.” Another relative shared that Danny had a huge heart for animals and was always making people laugh.

“I’m really sorry that he had to go through this,” another family member told Fox 13. “I really just really love him.”

A GoFundMe page has since been launched to help cover funeral expenses. The fundraiser describes Danny as a beloved brother, son, uncle, and friend whose sudden death has left a devastating void for those who knew him.