TUCSON, AZ — A Tucson woman injured in a violent July 24 attack has died, and the man accused in the case now faces a murder charge. Tucson police said 61-year-old Susan Gehrke died from her injuries after being hospitalized with a brain bleed. Investigators say the assault happened at an apartment complex near North Alvernon Way and Speedway. The suspect, 27-year-old Dahseir Edward Jefferson, had earlier been charged with aggravated assault before the case was upgraded following Gehrke’s death.
How The Attack Unfolded
According to police and court records, Jefferson allegedly struck two people during the same incident. Authorities say he punched a man first, causing him to fall and hit his head. That man suffered cuts, bruising and scrapes and was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. Police said Jefferson then punched Gehrke, who fell backward, hit her head and lost consciousness. The force of the blow broke part of her dentures, which investigators said were thrown to the ground during the assault.
Gehrke was rushed to the hospital after the attack, but she did not recover. Family members said the injuries left her “unrecognizable” and made it difficult for loved ones to see her in that condition.
Victim Remembered By Family
Gehrke’s relatives said the loss was especially painful because she had worked for years toward retirement and was close to celebrating her birthday on Aug. 3. A GoFundMe campaign described her as someone who spent her life supporting her family and putting other people first. Family members also said she had beaten cancer twice, underscoring how much she had already endured before the attack. Her grandson, Frankie Zills, said she was an older woman who had devoted her life to her family, while another family post called her a “beacon of light” to the people who knew her.
Her daughter, Felicia, said the family struggled with the hospital visit and did not want her 15-year-old son to see his grandmother in that condition. The family said Gehrke had been trying to enjoy the next stage of life after years of hard work.
Charges And Bond Details
Jefferson was charged with second-degree murder during a court appearance on July 29, three days after police say the attack occurred. He was previously facing two counts of aggravated assault with temporary but substantial injury. Tucson police said he was arrested four days after the incident. Court records and police statements say he is being held on a total bond of $650,000. The state also said during his initial court appearance that one of the victims was not expected to survive. Gehrke’s death later confirmed that concern and changed the criminal case’s direction.
Officials have not released additional details about what led up to the confrontation beyond the apartment complex location and the two alleged assaults. The case remains in the hands of investigators and the court system.
Past Criminal History
Records cited in the report say Jefferson has prior felony convictions and prison discipline issues. In 2019, he was found guilty of third-degree burglary after two other burglary charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. In 2021, he was convicted of aggravated assault with a victim bound or restrained, while another aggravated assault charge was dismissed. He received a five-year prison sentence in February 2021 and was released in October 2024. While incarcerated, he was found guilty of several disciplinary violations, including disorderly conduct, weapon possession, tampering with a security or safety device, disobeying an order, possession of a communication device, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession or manufacture of an intoxicating substance.
Gehrke’s family said they were frustrated that Jefferson had been released and was able to attack their loved one. Frankie Zills said the case raised painful questions about how many innocent people must be harmed before the system changes.
What Happens Next
With Gehrke’s death now reported, prosecutors can continue pursuing the murder case under the updated charge. Jefferson remains in custody on the $650,000 bond, and the court record shows the case grew out of a single violent episode at the apartment complex. Police said the initial call and later arrest centered on the July 24 assault, and the upgraded charge reflects the fatal outcome of Gehrke’s injuries. The family’s comments and the complaint also show that another victim survived but was left seriously hurt.
For Gehrke’s relatives, the immediate focus remains on mourning a woman they described as hardworking, kind and close to retirement. The case has also renewed attention on the earlier convictions and prison history now attached to the suspect in the fatal attack.
