A dispute that started over a perceived lack of gratitude escalated into a fatal shooting at a Dallas shopping center on October 7. Police have since arrested 22-year-old Keona Hampton on a murder charge.
According to authorities, the incident began at a Five Below store following an argument after a door was held open and a “thank you” was not offered. A verbal and physical altercation continued, ending in Hampton allegedly shooting and killing 41-year-old Cecilia Simpson in the parking lot outside a nearby PetSmart, according to CBS News.
Simpson had held a door open for Hampton at Five Below but became upset when Hampton did not say “thank you,” as detailed in the arrest affidavit.
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Simpson and an unnamed witness then drove to PetSmart, located in the same shopping center, and informed employees that Hampton was following them. Hampton entered PetSmart, argued with the witness, then departed and returned a few minutes later.
According to the affidavit, Simpson and Hampton resumed their argument, leading PetSmart employees to ask all parties to leave the store.
In the parking lot, another confrontation began when Hampton allegedly threw a drink bottle at Simpson’s vehicle. Simpson then approached Hampton, and their verbal argument escalated into a physical altercation.
A witness reported that Simpson repeatedly struck Hampton, demanding that she leave. When the witness briefly stepped away, Hampton drew a black and silver handgun and fired three shots, hitting Simpson and causing her to collapse, according to the affidavit.
On Tuesday, around 1 p.m., officers were called to the Wheatland Towne Crossing shopping center, located in the 2500 block of West Wheatland Road, following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Simpson, who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Dallas Fire-Rescue transported her to Methodist Central Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Hampton, who had fled the scene before police arrived, was later located, arrested, and charged with murder.
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During questioning, Hampton confessed to arguing with Simpson, entering PetSmart twice, throwing a drink bottle at Simpson’s car, and engaging in a physical altercation before ultimately shooting her. Hampton claimed she was “just trying to get [Simpson] away from her.”
The investigation is still in progress.
