A Pennsylvania teacher, killed in the presence of her son, was the target of a murder plot spanning several months, masterminded by her boyfriend’s former lover.

Police have revealed that Rachel King, 35, who was tragically shot in front of her 11-year-old son in a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru lane last month, fell victim to a carefully orchestrated murder-for-hire scheme.

On April 26, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office reported the arrests of Zakkee Alhakim, 33, and Julie Jean, 34, in relation to King’s death. Both individuals now face charges of first and third-degree murder, conspiracy, and other offenses.

The heartbreaking event took place on April 11 around 7:30 a.m., when Alhakim fatally shot King as her son watched. Investigators have found that Jean had been planning King’s murder for months, enlisting Alhakim’s help. The plot’s motive stemmed from Jean’s past affair with King’s boyfriend, William Hayes, which concluded last year. Despite the relationship’s end, Jean allegedly persisted in harassing the couple via text messages and phone calls, prompting Hayes to secure a protection order against her.

The investigation unveiled that Jean and Alhakim had communicated and met multiple times before the murder. Damning evidence, such as a photo collage of King and a Google map screenshot of her apartment, was found on Alhakim’s phone.

Authorities discovered during the investigation that Jean had erased nearly 800 text messages with Alhakim just minutes before her police interview on April 12. Surveillance footage connected the two suspects to a silver Mercury Sable, spotted at the crime scene and near King’s residence prior to her death.

On the day of the incident, Alhakim parked the sedan outside the Dunkin’ Donuts, walked up to King’s car, and fired multiple shots through the driver’s side window before escaping. Six fired cartridge casings were recovered by responding officers.

Both Alhakim and Jean are currently in custody and have been denied bail.