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Dallas woman sentenced in 2025 parking lot killing outside PetSmart

Keona Hampton received a 30-year sentence after accepting a plea deal in the fatal shooting of Cecilia Simpson at a Dallas shopping center. The dispute began after Simpson reportedly held a door for Hampton and Hampton did not say thank you, according to an arrest affidavit.

Dallas woman sentenced in 2025 parking lot killing outside PetSmart

Keona Hampton was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Sept. 23 for killing Cecilia Simpson in the parking lot of a PetSmart in southwest Dallas, according to court records. Hampton accepted a plea deal in the case stemming from the Oct. 9, 2025, shooting at Wheatland Towne Crossing.

Dallas police officers responding to a reported shooting found Simpson, 41, with multiple gunshot wounds outside the store at the shopping center in the 2500 block of West Wheatland Road. She was taken to a hospital and later died. Hampton, who was 22 at the time, left before officers arrived but was found and arrested later that day.

An arrest affidavit says the confrontation began as Simpson and Hampton left a Five Below in the same shopping center. Simpson had held the door for Hampton and became upset when Hampton did not thank her, the affidavit says.

Simpson and a witness later went to PetSmart and told employees Hampton was following them. Hampton entered the store, argued with the witness and left, then returned a few minutes later. After another argument, employees asked the people involved to leave, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit says Hampton threw a drink bottle at Simpson’s vehicle in the parking lot, after which Simpson approached her and the two fought. The witness told police Simpson struck Hampton several times. The witness said Hampton then pulled out a gun and shot Simpson.

Police said surveillance video showed Hampton leaving in her vehicle. After her arrest, Hampton admitted to arguing with Simpson, throwing the bottle, fighting and shooting her, according to police.

Hampton has been held since her arrest and will receive credit for 303 days already served, court records show.

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