CHELTENHAM TWP., Pennsylvania (WPVI) — Authorities have identified the woman who was shot and killed while she waited at a Dunkin’ drive-thru Tuesday morning while her 11-year-old son was in the vehicle.
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office said 35-year-old Rachel King of Elkins Park was shot multiple times while behind the wheel of her SUV.
It happened around 7:40 a.m. in Cheltenham Twp.
According to investigators, King was driving westbound on Cheltenham Avenue when she turned into the Melrose Shopping Center, then pulled into a line of traffic in the Dunkin’ drive-thru lane.
The D.A.’s office said a light-colored sedan, possibly a Ford or Mercury, was seen driving directly behind King.
Pictured: The vehicle sought in connection with the murder at a Cheltenham Twp. drive-thru on Tuesday morning.
According to investigators, the driver of that car parked a short distance away from the drive-thru, walked up to the driver’s side of King’s vehicle, and fired multiple shots through the window.
The man then got back into his car and fled eastbound on Cheltenham Avenue.
King’s 11-year-old son was in the backseat of the vehicle. He was not injured.
District Attorney Kevin Steele said this appears to be a targeted murder. He said the suspect did not try to open the door or communicate with King before firing.
King was a teacher at Grover Cleveland Elementary School in the Mastery charter school system.
“We are devasted by the loss of an extraordinary teacher, who spent the last 10 years working with our students and their families,” the school system said in a statement.
Cleveland Elementary will have a two-hour delay on Wednesday. Social workers and counselors will be available for those in need of support.
“She was one of the best teachers, she did her very best at this school, very best,” said Charise Jones of Tioga-Nicetown.
King’s boyfriend spoke to Action News off-camera. He said King was taking her son to violin practice when she was shot.
He said he has no idea who would want to do this.
King’s boyfriend went on to say she was a loving mother who was working toward a master’s degree and getting her principal’s certificate.
Students and parents from Grover Cleveland Elementary are mourning.
“I had a friendship with this lady, a friendship, a very good friendship, not just from the school – that outside of the school. She gave me great advice,” said Jones.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cheltenham Township Police Department at 215-885-1600 (extension 400) or Montgomery County Detectives at 610-226-5553.
