PA teacher Rachel King was fatally shot by hitman hired by boyfriend’s jilted lover Julie Jean’ A: A betrayed lover hired a hitman to stalk and kill her romantic rival, prosecutors said Wednesday, April 26. Julie Jean, 35, was charged with first- and third-degree murder and conspiracy in the death of Rachel King, 35, who was a teacher at Grover Cleveland Mastery Charter School in Philadelphia. The horrific incident took place on April 11 in a shopping center in Cheltenham, when the woman was sitting in a Dunkin’ drive-thru with her 11-year-old son in the backseat.
PA teacher Rachel King was fatally shot by hitman hired by boyfriend’s jilted lover Julie Jean
Jean hired Zakkee Steven Alhakim, 33, and even bought him a Mercury sedan that he used to stalk King as she drove her son, Jalen, to violin practice. The killer fatally shot King at point-blank range in an early-morning ambush as the Elkins Park resident stopped at the coffee shop.
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What charges does the hitman face?
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele announced the arrests at a news conference, saying Alhakim remains in custody in Philadelphia and will be charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy and related crimes. “I’ve seen a lot of horrible, even horrific, evil homicides in my career as a prosecutor,” Steele said, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. “Suffice it to say, I’m struggling with this one.”
The love triangle
King had been in a relationship with William Hayes for many years, but the latter started a relationship with Jean last year. Hayes cut off her contact with Jean when King discovered the infidelity. This enraged Jean, prosecutors said. The affair affected King’s relationship with Hayes, but they reconciled.
Jean appeared at Hayes’ apartment several times
Jean stalked and harassed Hayes, called and texted him several times and appeared unannounced at his apartment, the affidavit said. She also called King her at work and asked about her relationship with Hayes. Hayes applied for and received a protection-from-abuse order against Jean in December, according to Steele.
Jean reached out to Alhakim
Jean reached out to Alhakim a couple of months later. The affidavit said that the hitman is related to the father of her children. The two exchanged text messages, including a Google Maps screenshot of King’s apartment. They met multiple times in Philadelphia, according to the evidence pulled from Jean’s cellphone. At one meeting, she provided Alhakim with pictures of King, according to the affidavit.
Jean purchased the vehicle last month
Jean purchased a Mercury Sable from a Cheltenham dealer in March. It matched the description of the one used by the killer who targeted King in the drive-thru, prosecutors said. The vehicle was also recorded several times by surveillance footage from King’s apartment complex in the days leading up to King’s slaying.
Alhakim tried to escape
Philadelphia Police officers spotted the car in Logan and attempted to stop it following the shooting. The driver tried to flee and led the officers on a chase until crashing into a fence. He was later identified as Alhakim.
Alhakim claimed he was selling drugs in Kensington at the time of the murder and denied being in Cheltenham at the time. He also denied knowing Jean. However, Philadelphia Police Homicide detectives linked the Mercury to a killing in the city on April 7, in which a 9mm handgun was used.
Jean also denied her role
When Jean was later interviewed by Montgomery County detectives, she denied any involvement. After a warrant for her cell phone was obtained, it was found she had deleted 787 text messages just minutes pto rior their meeting, including all of her conversations with Alhakim.
King’s parents thanked law enforcement for solving the crime. “We can’t articulate how grateful we are for the work that has been done and the work they continue to do,” said King’s father, the Rev Allen King Jr. “We want justice to be done, we want it done swiftly, and we want it done fairly.”
