Cecilia Simpson Obituary, Death – Authorities in Dallas, Texas, are investigating a tragic incident that occurred outside a shopping center on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in the death of a 41-year-old woman following an argument that began over a brief exchange outside a store.
According to the Dallas Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting around 1 p.m. in the 2500 block of West Wheatland Road. Upon arrival, they found a woman who had been seriously injured. She was later identified as 41-year-old Cecilia Simpson. Emergency personnel transported her to a nearby hospital, where she passed away from her injuries.
Investigators stated that the suspect, 22-year-old Keona Zachyua Hampton, was taken into custody later that evening during a traffic stop. She is facing charges related to the incident, and the case remains under active investigation.
A police affidavit and witness statements outline a series of events that began earlier in the day at a Five Below store located in the same shopping center as PetSmart. Simpson’s daughter told officers that she and her mother were shopping together when they encountered another woman—later identified as Hampton—at the exit.
According to the affidavit, Simpson reportedly held the door open for Hampton as they both left the store. When Hampton did not verbally respond, Simpson appeared to take offense, and the two women exchanged words. What started as a minor disagreement quickly escalated, prompting Simpson and her daughter to walk away and drive to a nearby PetSmart store.
Police say Hampton then followed them to the PetSmart parking lot. Once inside the store, Simpson and her daughter informed employees that they believed someone was following them. Shortly after, Hampton entered the store as well, and the argument between the two groups resumed.
Witnesses told police that store employees intervened to defuse the situation and asked the women to leave. Hampton exited the store first, but returned a short time later, and the argument reignited near the entrance.
Once outside in the parking lot, Simpson and her daughter began getting into their vehicle when Hampton allegedly threw a drink container at their car. Simpson then approached Hampton to confront her again, leading to a brief physical altercation. Simpson’s daughter stated that her mother struck Hampton several times while urging her to walk away.
Moments later, the daughter stepped back, and investigators say Hampton pulled out a firearm and fired multiple times, striking Simpson. Hampton then left the scene before police arrived.
Detectives spent several hours interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, and collecting evidence from the shopping center. Later that evening, officers located Hampton during a traffic stop and took her into custody without incident.
Police emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and they are working to piece together the complete sequence of events that led to the fatal confrontation. They are also consulting with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office to determine the next legal steps in the case.
Authorities described the situation as deeply unfortunate, noting how a minor disagreement escalated into a tragedy that has left two families devastated. “This is a heartbreaking case that underscores the importance of de-escalation and walking away from conflict whenever possible,” a Dallas Police spokesperson said.
Community members have expressed shock and sadness over the event, particularly because it began with such a seemingly small misunderstanding. Local leaders have called for peace and patience as the legal process unfolds and urged residents to resolve disputes peacefully.
The Dallas Police Department continues to encourage anyone who may have witnessed the incident or captured video footage to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation.
