By Staff Reporter |
The man arrested for a deadly shooting at a Phoenix gas station was released from a weapons charge five years ago.
This occurred under the watch of Attorney General Kris Mayes’ former division chief Vanessa Hickman when she was city attorney for the city of Peoria. Hickman worked nearly three years in Mayes’ office before her arrest last November by federal agents on felony charges of mail theft.
Hickman was accused of stealing and selling several pieces out of $40,000 worth of fine jewelry misdelivered to her in the mail.
Under Hickman in September 2020, city of Peoria prosecutors dismissed a charge against Deondre Stephen Franklin for carrying a deadly weapon while under 21 years old. Franklin, now 25, also faced a charge of underage drinking at the time in the Peoria Municipal Court.
Court records show the court allowed Franklin to undergo substance use evaluation and education rather than sentencing him to jail time. Like Franklin, court records revealed Hickman underwent an outpatient substance abuse program while working for Mayes. Hickman had a DUI charge in 2003.
Divorce records allege that on multiple occasions Hickman drove drunk and would pour hard liquor into her coffee in the mornings.
The weapons charge Franklin faced was a class three misdemeanor, which could have resulted in up to 30 days in jail, up to $500 in fines, and up to a year of probation.
Hickman stepped down following the 2022 election of Mayor Jason Beck. Hickman joined the city in 2018.
Mayes hired Hickman despite warnings from the city of Peoria about other allegations against Hickman relating to fraud, conversion, and breach of fiduciary duty. The city sued Hickman following her departure over a disputed severance payment.
It appears Hickman’s direction for prosecuting criminals in Peoria has now resulted in the loss of at least one innocent life.
Last Friday, Franklin shot 52-year-old Danny Lyn Kaster at a QuikTrip gas station. Franklin reportedly shot Kaster after Franklin attempted to cut ahead in a line for the restroom.
Phoenix police arrested Franklin on Sunday. He faces a second-degree murder charge and a bond of $1 million.
An update from one of Kaster’s friends, Jasen Szczepaniak, relayed what Kaster’s sister said in a Facebook post that Kaster was shot at least four times.
“[Franklin] is a 24-25yr old punk ass wannabe gangster that had a gun,” said Szczepaniak. “Danny said ‘line is back there’ gunman pulled out [a] gun [and] shot him in face, chest, leg as of now 4 shots but autopsy may show more. Deondre Franklin is his name[;] he shot & killed Danny over a bathroom being told to go to [the] back of a line. I’m so grateful he was in custody swiftly, I will make sure the courts/judges know how worthy your life was & will make sure he gets [the] maximum sentence. Doesn’t bring you back doesn’t help make any sense of this but I’m happy he was caught.”
Other friends noted that Kaster was a “dear friend” known for his acts of generosity and kindness.
Kaster’s loved ones recounted that his love for family extended to the animals in his life — especially including his dog, Max. Kaster’s sister reportedly plans to take care of his dog.
A GoFundMe for Kaster’s family is collecting funds to handle funeral expenses.
Although Franklin is in custody, the shooting remains under investigation. Those who may have more information about the shooting should call Silent Witness at (480) 948-6377.
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