A Tucson woman died days after an alleged unprovoked assault outside an apartment complex, turning a violent confrontation into a second-degree murder case.
Dahseir Edward Jefferson, 27, was arrested four days after the attack and remains jailed on a $650,000 bond. Prosecutors initially accused him of aggravated assault, but the case was upgraded after 61-year-old Susan Gehrke died from critical injuries, according to Cleveland.com.
What Investigators Say Happened
Authorities allege Jefferson assaulted two people near North Alvernon Way and East Speedway Boulevard in Tucson. The male victim was allegedly punched first and suffered serious injuries in a fall, while Gehrke was struck and fell to the ground, suffering a severe head injury that left her unconscious with life-threatening brain trauma.
Gehrke had been preparing to celebrate her birthday, survived cancer twice and devoted much of her life to caring for others. Jefferson had prior felony convictions, including burglary and aggravated assault, served time in Arizona prison and was released in 2024, while Gehrke’s family established a GoFundMe campaign in her memory, as reported by Cleveland.com.
Jefferson’s Prior Tucson Case
Jefferson was also arrested in Tucson in 2020 after a 13-year-old boy was attacked near Park Place Mall, according to KOLD News 13. Police said the teenager was punched several times and briefly knocked unconscious, and Jefferson faced aggravated robbery and assault-related charges in that case.
What The Murder Charge Means
Under Arizona law, second-degree murder is a class 1 felony involving an alleged killing without premeditation. The statute covers intentional or knowing conduct that causes death, as well as conduct undertaken with extreme indifference to human life, according to the Arizona Legislature.
Jefferson is presumed innocent unless prosecutors prove the allegations in court. Authorities have not released additional details about a possible motive, and the investigation remains ongoing as the case moves through the legal system.
