An Arizona community is mourning the death of a 61-year-old grandmother who had overcome cancer twice but lost her life following a violent assault outside her apartment complex.
Prosecutors have now upgraded the case against the alleged attacker to second-degree murder after the victim succumbed to her injuries.
Fatal Attack Outside Tucson Apartment Complex
Authorities said Susan Gehrke was attacked outside her apartment complex in Tucson last Friday after she intervened during an altercation involving one of her friends.
Investigators allege that 27-year-old Dahseir Edward Jefferson had first assaulted Gehrke’s friend before turning his attention to her in what prosecutors described as a random act of violence.
According to court documents, Gehrke approached the scene in an attempt to assist her friend when Jefferson allegedly punched her with such force that her dentures were knocked out.
The impact caused her to fall backwards, striking her head on the ground and leaving her unconscious.
Emergency Medical Efforts Could Not Save Her
Gehrke was rushed to hospital in critical condition, where doctors performed emergency surgery to treat a severe brain bleed.
She was later placed on a ventilator as medical teams fought to save her life.
Despite those efforts, she died from her injuries on July 29.
Following her death, prosecutors formally charged Jefferson with second-degree murder in addition to the allegations connected to the initial assault.
Family Says Retirement Dreams Were Cut Short
Relatives say Gehrke had recently been preparing for retirement after years of hard work and was looking forward to spending more time with her children and grandchildren.
A fundraising campaign created in her memory described her as a caring and resilient woman whose future was stolen by a senseless act of violence.
The fundraiser noted that Gehrke had successfully battled cancer on two separate occasions before her life was tragically cut short.
It described her as someone who devoted herself to her family and had eagerly anticipated the next chapter of her life.
Loved Ones Recall a Gentle and Compassionate Woman
Speaking after her death, members of Gehrke’s family said she was never someone who sought confrontation and believed she had simply been trying to help another person.
Her grandson, Frankie Zills, said he believed his grandmother’s instinct was to calm the situation and bring her friend to safety rather than engage in any conflict.
Family members also spoke about the emotional trauma of seeing her in hospital following the assault, describing the injuries as so severe that she was barely recognizable.
Her daughter, Felicia, said the family decided against allowing her 15-year-old son to see his grandmother because of the extent of her injuries.
Questions Raised Over Suspect’s Criminal History
The case has also renewed scrutiny over Jefferson’s criminal record.
State Department of Corrections records show he was convicted in 2021 of aggravated robbery and attempted aggravated robbery.
He received a five-year prison sentence and was released in October 2024.
Correctional records further indicate that Jefferson accumulated numerous disciplinary violations while incarcerated, including disorderly conduct, possession of a weapon, tampering with security or safety devices, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Reacting to the tragedy, Gehrke’s grandson questioned whether repeat violent offenders were being adequately prevented from harming others, expressing frustration that more innocent families continue to suffer devastating losses.
