A minor car scrape and a $100 repair bill spiraled into deadly violence last Monday morning, when a woman was shot outside her Phoenix home and later died, leaving seven children without their mother. Police say a neighbor has been arrested and is now facing a second-degree murder charge.
According to Tampa Free Press, the shooting happened around 8 a.m. last Monday (March 23) near 11th Avenue and Mountain View Road. Investigators say 35-year-old Danielle Jean Kassandra Little was shot and later died at a hospital. Detectives identified 21-year-old neighbor Daniel Rombach Jr. as the suspect; authorities say he was found at his apartment shortly after the incident, admitted to the shooting, has been charged with second-degree murder, is being held on a $1 million bond and has a court appearance set for March 30.
What Arizona Calls Second-Degree Murder
Under Arizona law, second-degree murder applies to killings that occur without premeditation and can include intentional or reckless conduct that shows extreme indifference to human life, as outlined in Arizona’s second-degree murder statute, ARS §13-1104, detailed by Justia. A conviction is a serious felony under state law and carries significant prison terms under Arizona’s sentencing statutes.
Family Left Reeling
Family members told reporters that Little leaves behind seven children, with one infant from the household reportedly in the NICU, and one of her children is said to have witnessed the shooting, according to Tampa Free Press. The outlet reports that the deadly confrontation followed a weeks-old incident in which Little had backed into Rombach’s vehicle, and tensions over a $100 repair bill had been simmering ever since.
What Happens Next in Court
Rombach is scheduled to appear in court on March 30 for an initial hearing, where a judge will set formal pretrial conditions and consider whether prosecutors will file any additional charges. Detectives say the investigation remains active, and more details are expected to surface as the case moves through Maricopa County courts.
