A 61-year-old Arizona woman died last month after being punched in the face during a confrontation outside an apartment complex, and the man accused in her death now faces a second-degree murder charge, according to police and family members. Susan Gehrke was struck by 27-year-old Dahseir Jefferson on July 24 and died five days later, on July 29, just before what would have been her 62nd birthday, according to a probable cause statement obtained by Law&Crime. Jefferson is due to be arraigned Aug. 11.
Absolutely horrific and heartbreaking. Also quite astonishing that you’re more likely to die from just being present in @TucsonRomero city than you are from having cancer twice.
— David (@zebraonice) August 1, 2026
The statement says Jefferson was knocking on a neighbor’s door at a complex near North Alvernon Way and Speedway, Arizona. When Gehrke, who was there visiting her boyfriend, told him the resident was not home. The comment angered Jefferson, who began cursing at her, the statement says.
Gehrke’s boyfriend then came outside and briefly argued with Jefferson, who punched him in the face, knocking him back and causing him to hit his head on the sidewalk, according to the statement. He suffered a laceration under his left eye, a large head contusion, and scrapes to his back and knee, and was hospitalized in critical condition.
When Gehrke walked over to check on him, Jefferson punched her in the face as well, the statement says. The blow broke her dentures and knocked them from her mouth. She fell and also struck her head, suffering a brain bleed that required intubation.
Police confirmed 61-year-old Susan Gehrke died from her injuries days after the July 24 attack. https://t.co/E2Q0wStKny pic.twitter.com/OB4Mnjt0CX
— azfamily 3TV CBS 5 (@azfamily) July 31, 2026
Gehrke’s grandson, Frankie Zills, told AZ Family that his grandmother generally avoided confrontation and likely approached Jefferson simply to get him to leave. Her daughter, Felicia, said Gehrke’s injuries were severe enough that she did not want her teenage grandson to see her in the hospital.
Arizona court records show Jefferson has a lengthy criminal history, including a 2019 burglary conviction and a 2021 aggravated assault conviction, along with several convictions for offenses committed while incarcerated. A GoFundMe launched on Gehrke’s behalf describes her as someone who had overcome cancer twice and was nearing retirement. The fundraiser says her family is now planning her funeral instead of a retirement celebration.
Disclaimer: Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available.
