Keonna Honanie – Authorities in Payson are investigating a deadly shooting that claimed the life of a young woman during an argument in a restaurant parking lot over the weekend.
According to the Payson Police Department, the incident unfolded Saturday morning around 10 a.m. in the parking lot of a Denny’s located along the 400 block of South Beeline Highway (State Route 87). Investigators said that 20-year-old Keonna Honanie of Phoenix was shot in the head while sitting in the back seat of a Honda Pilot SUV.
Honanie was reportedly in the vehicle with 22-year-old Donald Nash, also from Phoenix, when the confrontation turned violent. Police stated that the two were traveling through Payson when the argument erupted. Shockingly, a 1-year-old child was seated next to Honanie in the SUV when the shooting occurred, but the child was unharmed.
Responding officers arrived quickly and identified Nash as the suspect. He was taken into custody after what police described as a tense encounter that involved resistance on his part. Nash now faces multiple charges, including one count of second-degree murder for Honanie’s death. In addition, authorities charged him with three counts of felony endangerment due to the presence of the child and others at the scene, as well as one count of resisting arrest. Following his arrest, Nash was booked into the Gila County Jail.
The shooting prompted a significant police presence in the area, leading to the closure of northbound lanes along State Route 87 for several hours. Investigators combed through the scene, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses in an effort to piece together the sequence of events that led to the tragic outcome.
Authorities have not yet released further details about what sparked the argument between Nash and Honanie. The Payson Police Department confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that additional information may be shared as the case develops.
The death of Honanie has left many in shock, particularly given the presence of the infant during the fatal incident. Officials emphasized the seriousness of the charges against Nash, noting that his actions placed not only Honanie but also the child and others nearby in grave danger.
As the investigation continues, police are working to ensure the safety of the child who was present in the SUV. No further information has been released about the child’s current care or custody.
The case highlights the tragic consequences of violent disputes and has drawn concern within the community of Payson. With the charges filed and the suspect in custody, authorities are now focused on building a thorough case while awaiting further developments from ongoing forensic and witness examinations.
At this stage, Nash remains in jail facing the possibility of significant prison time if convicted. Meanwhile, Honanie’s death marks yet another instance of senseless violence, with investigators working to determine the full circumstances surrounding the altercation that ended her life.
