A 41-year-old woman was fatally shot in a Dallas parking lot after a disagreement allegedly sparked by a request for basic courtesy.
Authorities say the dispute began when the victim, Cecilia Simpson, asked another woman to say “thank you” after she held a door open for her.
According to the Dallas Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, outside a PetSmart near a Five Below store. Investigators allege that Keona Zachyua Hampton, 22, shot Simpson multiple times following a heated argument that escalated from a verbal exchange to a physical confrontation.
What Happened
Police reports and witness statements indicate that Simpson held the door for Hampton as both women exited a Five Below store. When Hampton did not acknowledge the gesture, Simpson allegedly asked her to say “thank you,” leading to a verbal altercation.
Simpson and her daughter later drove to the nearby PetSmart, telling employees that Hampton had followed them. Hampton reportedly entered the PetSmart moments later and began arguing again with Simpson and her daughter. Employees intervened and asked all parties to leave the store.
Witnesses told Fox 4 that Hampton taunted Simpson to come outside, reportedly saying, “Let’s handle this outside.” Once outside, Hampton allegedly threw a drink at Simpson’s vehicle, and the confrontation turned violent. Simpson’s daughter told police that her mother struck Hampton several times and told her to leave before shots were fired.
The Arrest
Emergency responders transported Simpson to Methodist Central Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Hampton fled the scene but was later located and arrested by Dallas police. She has since been charged with murder and booked into the Dallas County Jail, where she remains held without bond.
According to the arrest affidavit cited by CBS News, Hampton admitted to shooting Simpson but claimed she was “just trying to get [Simpson] away from her.”
Ongoing Investigation
The Dallas Police Department continues to investigate the case. Authorities are asking anyone with additional information to contact Detective T. Gross at theodore.gross@dallaspolice.gov or (214) 671-3143.
