Bronx mother fatally stabbed in elevator by neighbor on suspect’s birthday; family is in mourning.
A tragic incident in the Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx has resulted in the death of 30-year-old Shashamanie Thompson. The mother was reportedly stabbed to death in the elevator of her apartment building on Saturday, December 27, 2025, during a confrontation with her upstairs neighbor. This violent altercation allegedly occurred on the suspect’s birthday and stemmed from a long-standing feud between the two women, according to police reports.
Thompson sustained fatal injuries after being stabbed in the stomach and the left eye shortly before 10 p.m. on Saturday night at her residence on Ogden Avenue near West 167th Street. At the time of the incident, her 9-year-old son was spending the holiday with his grandparents, who have now faced the heart-wrenching task of informing him of his mother’s death.
The father of the victim, Mark Thompson, shared the plans they had for the New Year, which included a family gathering with his daughter and grandson. He described the sorrow of losing Shashamanie, whose last interaction with her son was a loving phone conversation the day before her death. The emotional toll on the family has been immense, as they grapple with the loss of a beloved member.
Two individuals have been arrested in connection with this violent crime. The suspects, identified as 24-year-old Beyonce Johnson, the upstairs neighbor, and her boyfriend Saleh Ceesay, 21, were detained at the scene. Both have since been charged with murder and manslaughter. Reports reveal that the altercation ignited in the building’s lobby before escalating in the elevator, where Johnson allegedly brandished a knife during the confrontation. Ceesay is accused of physically restraining Thompson as the attack unfolded.
Witnesses recounted the harrowing scene as Thompson fled the elevator area, visibly wounded. One neighbor indicated that he saw her collapse and immediately called for emergency assistance. Emergency responders transported Thompson to Lincoln Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries approximately two hours later.
The investigation into this case has revealed the troubled history between the parties involved. Johnson has a criminal history that includes charges of harassment and violation of an order of protection. In contrast, Ceesay does not have any prior arrests. Meanwhile, Thompson herself had a record that included several arrests relating to previous disputes.
Thompson’s father expressed the profound sense of loss felt by her family, noting the outpouring of condolences from the community. He reflected on the unexpected impact his daughter had on those around her, emphasizing the joy and love she brought into their lives. He mourned not only for his daughter but for the void her passing leaves behind.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the family of Shashamanie Thompson is faced with the daunting task of navigating their grief while seeking justice for the tragic death of a young mother whose life was cut short in a moment of violence. The community remains shaken, highlighting the urgent issues of safety and conflict resolution in urban neighborhoods.
