Cecilia Simpson, 41, was shot and killed on October 7, 2025, after a dispute that began when she held a door for another customer at a Five Below in the Wheatland Towne Crossing center in Dallas. According to investigators, Simpson complained when the other woman did not say thank you; the argument followed Simpson and her adult daughter into a nearby PetSmart, where employees asked everyone to leave. Outside in the parking lot a bottle was thrown toward Simpson’s vehicle and a physical altercation broke out.

Witnesses and surveillance video say the suspect, identified as 22-year-old Keona Zachyua Hampton, had followed and argued with Simpson, and was struck by Simpson during the tussle. A witness then reported Hampton produced a black-and-silver handgun and fired three times; Simpson was taken to Methodist Central Hospital and pronounced dead. Hampton fled but was stopped by police about 7:45 p.m. and arrested; she later told officers she fired the shots, saying she was trying to get Simpson away from her. Police described the investigation as active and asked anyone with information to contact Detective T. Gross of the Dallas Police Department.

Simpson’s family remembered her for warmth and everyday kindness as the community sought answers. Did anyone in the area that afternoon see the confrontation or have footage that could help investigators?