Cheltenham Township, Pennsylvania – A man and a woman were convicted of first-degree murder for their involvement in the ambush killing of Philadelphia teacher Rachel King. Zakkee Steven Alhakim, 34, and Julie Jean, 35, were sentenced to life in prison after a jury deliberated for only 52 minutes on the plot to kill King. The murder took place on April 11, 2023, at a Dunkin’ drive-thru in Cheltenham Township, Montgomery County, where King was shot in front of her 11-year-old son.
Alhakim was identified as the shooter, while Jean was implicated as the mastermind behind the murder, which was alleged to be part of a murder-for-hire scheme. The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office revealed that Jean’s jealousy towards King, who was dating a man with whom Jean had an affair, fueled the deadly plot.
Prosecutors disclosed that Alhakim and Jean meticulously planned the killing over two months, culminating in the fatal shooting at the Dunkin’ drive-thru. Cellphone records and surveillance footage revealed the detailed preparations leading up to the ambush, including the purchase of the getaway car used in the crime.
Aside from King, her 11-year-old son was present during the shooting but thankfully escaped physical harm. An emotional impact was left on the family, with King’s uncle expressing sorrow over the loss of his sister and the trauma experienced by her son.
Further investigation into the motive behind the murder uncovered the unsettling backstory involving Jean’s prior relationship with King’s boyfriend. Text messages, deleted communications, and the purchase of the getaway car provided crucial evidence linking Alhakim and Jean to the crime scene.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, King’s family sought justice through the legal process, with her parents bravely facing the accused during a preliminary hearing. Reverend Allen King, the father of the victim, emphasized the importance of seeking justice for his daughter, emphasizing the impact of her loss on those who knew and loved her.
The senseless killing of Rachel King not only shocked the community but also deeply affected her students, who remembered her as a dedicated and caring teacher with dreams of future success. As the legal proceedings unfolded, King’s family and loved ones sought closure and put their faith in the justice system to hold the perpetrators accountable for the heinous crime.