Dallas, October 9, 2025
News Summary
A woman was shot and killed following a dispute that escalated at the Wheatland Towne Crossing shopping center in Dallas. The suspect, a 22-year-old woman, has been arrested and charged with murder. The incident began with a verbal disagreement inside a Five Below store and led to physical confrontations outside a PetSmart where the fatal shooting occurred. The police located the suspect later in the day, following the investigation and evidence collection.
Dallas — A woman was fatally shot Tuesday afternoon after a dispute inside and outside stores at a Dallas shopping center, and a 22-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged with murder.
What happened
The shooting incident occurred on Tuesday, October 8, 2025, at around 1 p.m. at the Wheatland Towne Crossing shopping center in the 2500 block of West Wheatland Road, Dallas. 41-year-old Cecilia Simpson was fatally shot multiple times in the parking lot outside a PetSmart store. The alleged shooter, 22-year-old Keona Hampton, has been arrested and charged with murder.
Immediate sequence and escalation
The conflict began inside the shopping center and escalated over a series of interactions that moved from one store to another and then to the parking lot. The conflict began when Simpson held the door open for Hampton at a nearby Five Below store but became upset when Hampton did not say thank you. Following that encounter, the situation continued to escalate.
Following the initial dispute, Simpson and a witness drove to PetSmart, informing employees that Hampton was following them. Hampton entered PetSmart, confronted the witness, and left but returned to continue the altercation. When store employees saw the argument intensifying, employees of PetSmart eventually asked all parties to leave the store due to the escalating argument.
Outside in the parking lot, the confrontation continued to worsen. In the parking lot, Hampton allegedly threw a drink bottle at Simpson’s vehicle, prompting Simpson to approach her for further confrontation. That interaction led to physical contact. A physical fight broke out, during which Simpson reportedly struck Hampton several times.
Shooting and immediate aftermath
After the brief physical fight, the witness stepped away from the altercation. The witness then stepped away from the fight, and during this moment, Hampton produced a black and silver handgun and fired three shots at Simpson. Simpson collapsed from the gunfire and was transported to Methodist Central Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Surveillance video and vehicle tracking were part of the response following the shooting. Surveillance footage captured Hampton fleeing in a damaged black 2005 Ford 500 after the shooting. Law enforcement later located that vehicle and followed leads to make an arrest. Police later located the vehicle at an apartment complex on John West Road, where they arrested Hampton on a balcony.
Arrest, statements and charges
Officers took the suspect into custody later the same day. Officers conducted a traffic stop and arrested Hampton later that day around 7:45 p.m. During police interviews, Hampton provided accounts of the incident. During police interviews, Hampton admitted to engaging in a verbal dispute and acknowledged her actions of shooting Simpson. Hampton also maintained a version of events about her intent. Hampton claimed she was just trying to get [Simpson] away from her.
The alleged shooter, 22-year-old Keona Hampton, has been arrested and charged with murder. Authorities continue to investigate the incident and to gather further evidence and witness statements.
Investigation and next steps
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and additional details may arise as more information becomes available. Dallas police are asking anyone with information to come forward as investigators work to confirm the timeline and collect further evidence. Dallas Police encourage anyone with information to contact Detective T. Gross at the provided email or phone number.
Background context
Shooting incidents that begin as verbal disputes and escalate to physical altercations in public shopping areas pose significant public safety challenges. Local investigators typically review surveillance footage, interview witnesses, collect forensic evidence, and coordinate with prosecutors to determine charges and next steps. In this case, authorities have already made an arrest and filed murder charges while continuing fact-finding and evidence collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened?
The shooting incident occurred on Tuesday, October 8, 2025, at around 1 p.m. at the Wheatland Towne Crossing shopping center in the 2500 block of West Wheatland Road, Dallas.
Who was the victim?
41-year-old Cecilia Simpson was fatally shot multiple times in the parking lot outside a PetSmart store.
Who was arrested?
The alleged shooter, 22-year-old Keona Hampton, has been arrested and charged with murder.
How did the conflict begin?
The conflict began when Simpson held the door open for Hampton at a nearby Five Below store but became upset when Hampton did not say thank you.
What happened at PetSmart?
Following the initial dispute, Simpson and a witness drove to PetSmart, informing employees that Hampton was following them. Hampton entered PetSmart, confronted the witness, and left but returned to continue the altercation. Employees of PetSmart eventually asked all parties to leave the store due to the escalating argument.
What occurred in the parking lot?
In the parking lot, Hampton allegedly threw a drink bottle at Simpson’s vehicle, prompting Simpson to approach her for further confrontation. A physical fight broke out, during which Simpson reportedly struck Hampton several times. The witness then stepped away from the fight, and during this moment, Hampton produced a black and silver handgun and fired three shots at Simpson.
What happened after the shooting?
Simpson collapsed from the gunfire and was transported to Methodist Central Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Surveillance footage captured Hampton fleeing in a damaged black 2005 Ford 500 after the shooting.
How was the suspect arrested?
Police later located the vehicle at an apartment complex on John West Road, where they arrested Hampton on a balcony. Officers conducted a traffic stop and arrested Hampton later that day around 7:45 p.m.
What did the suspect say during interviews?
During police interviews, Hampton admitted to engaging in a verbal dispute and acknowledged her actions of shooting Simpson. Hampton claimed she was just trying to get [Simpson] away from her.
Is the investigation complete?
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and additional details may arise as more information becomes available.
How can the public help?
Dallas Police encourage anyone with information to contact Detective T. Gross at the provided email or phone number.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date and time | Tuesday, October 8, 2025, at around 1 p.m. |
| Location | Wheatland Towne Crossing shopping center, 2500 block of West Wheatland Road, Dallas |
| Victim | 41-year-old Cecilia Simpson (fatally shot) |
| Suspect | 22-year-old Keona Hampton (arrested and charged with murder) |
| Weapon | Black and silver handgun (three shots fired) |
| Vehicle | Damaged black 2005 Ford 500 (fled scene) |
| Arrest time | Officers conducted a traffic stop and arrested Hampton later that day around 7:45 p.m.; Hampton was also located and arrested on a balcony at an apartment complex on John West Road |
| Hospital | Methodist Central Hospital (Simpson pronounced dead) |
| Investigation status | Ongoing |
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Additional Resources
- CBS News: Dallas Woman Murder Charge
- Wikipedia: Shooting
- Fox 4 News: Woman Killed Outside Dallas PetSmart
- Google Search: Dallas shooting PetSmart
- Dallas News: Dallas Rapper Hospitalized After Shooting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Violence
- Fox News: Texas Real Estate Agent Killed
- Google News: Domestic Dispute Shooting
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
