Woman Shot and Killed in Dallas Parking Lot After Alleged Argument Over Saying ‘Thank You’

A tragic confrontation outside a Dallas shopping center turned deadly after a simple exchange of words.

Police say Cecilia Simpson, 41, was fatally shot in the parking lot of a PetSmart on Tuesday, Oct. 7. Keona Zachyua Hampton, 22, has been charged with murder for allegedly shooting Simpson multiple times, according to a Dallas Police Department news release.

The encounter reportedly began moments earlier when Simpson held the door open for Hampton as both were leaving a Five Below store. When Hampton didn’t thank her, the two began arguing, police said, according to WFAA and CBS News, which cited the arrest affidavit.

Simpson and her daughter then drove to a nearby PetSmart and told employees that Hampton appeared to be following them. Investigators said Hampton entered the store and confronted a witness before briefly leaving, only to return a few minutes later.

Inside the PetSmart, the argument escalated again, prompting employees to ask all three women to leave.

Outside, witnesses said Hampton allegedly threw a drink bottle at Simpson’s car. One bystander, an ER nurse, told Fox 4 that Simpson and her daughter tried to de-escalate the situation by getting into their vehicle, but Hampton refused to walk away.

Simpson’s daughter later told police that her mother struck Hampton several times during the altercation, demanding that she leave.

Authorities were called to the parking lot around 1 p.m. and found Simpson with multiple gunshot wounds. She was transported by Dallas Fire-Rescue to Methodist Central Hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to CBS News.

Police later located and arrested Hampton, who was taken into custody. According to the arrest affidavit cited by CBS News, Hampton admitted to the verbal dispute and claimed she was “just trying to get [Simpson] away from her,” per WFAA.

Hampton was booked into the Dallas County Jail, where records show no bond has been set. The Dallas Police Department said the investigation remains ongoing.