Dallas police have identified the woman killed in a shooting outside a PetSmart in the Oak Cliff area last week and the suspect accused of pulling the trigger, revealing the incident began as an argument over the words “thank you.”
Victim and Suspect Identified
The victim has been identified as 41-year-old Cecilia Simpson.
Investigators say she was shot multiple times Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot of the Wheatland Towne Crossing shopping center on West Wheatland Road.
The suspect, 22-year-old Keona Hampton, was arrested later that evening and charged with murder. She remains held in the Dallas County Jail.
Dispute Over “Thank You”
According to police, the confrontation began after Simpson reportedly held the door open for Hampton while leaving a Five Below store and became upset when Hampton did not say “thank you.”
The dispute spilled into a nearby PetSmart, where Simpson told employees Hampton was following her. Staff asked both women to leave after their argument escalated.
In the parking lot, police say Hampton threw a drink bottle at Simpson’s vehicle. When Simpson approached her, the two began fighting. Witnesses said Simpson struck Hampton several times while telling her to leave before Hampton drew a handgun and opened fire, striking Simpson three times.
Arrest and Confession
Cell phone and surveillance video captured the moments leading up to the shooting and showed Hampton walking away holding a handgun, according to investigators.
Police located her around 7:45 p.m. the same day. During questioning, Hampton admitted she argued with Simpson and fired her weapon but claimed she was “just trying to get [Simpson] away from her.”
Police Continue Investigation
Dallas police say the investigation remains ongoing as detectives review footage from multiple nearby businesses.
The shooting occurred near Interstate 20 in the Wheatland Towne Crossing shopping center, where several stores closed temporarily following the incident.