Philadelphia Double Murder Shocks Local Community

A Philadelphia double murder which occurred as the victims were having sex in an SUV has shocked the community, local authorities have reported.

It appears that the killings took place early Friday, as Lisa Smith, 32, and Shakoor Arline, 25, were engaged in sexual intercourse in the backseat of a Toyota Sequoia.

An unidentified shooter caught them unawares, as Arline was nude and Smith was also just partially clothed. The criminal opened the vehicle’s rear door, and fired 9 bullets with a .40 caliber handgun, several of them striking the victims straight to the head.

The estimated time of death might have been between midnight on Thursday, and 5 a.m on Friday, coroners have reported, after the car carrying the deceased couple was transported to the morgue.

The bodies were found by workers undertaking general maintenance and trash cleaning in the area, situated in the vicinity of Lemon Hill Mansion, a historic site from Fairmount Park.

Arline’s family had been trying to locate the man ever since his colleagues alerted them that he hadn’t arrived at work that morning.

According to homicide captain James Clark, given that so many shots were fired at close range, especially to the head, it appears that this was a crime of passion, and that the perpetrator had planned his attack in advance.

It is speculated that the couple’s killer had been aware that the couple met in the park on several other occasions, and knowing beforehand that the two illicit lovers would reconnect there again, he or she wanted to punish them for their tryst.

Therefore, law enforcement investigators are now examining the possibility of a love triangle which turned deadly.  It appears that both victims had actually been romantically involved with other people at the time. However, they had also been dating each other intermittently for several years, after meeting at their previous jobs.

According to Arline’s neighbors, the man was passionate about repairing cars, and had been known as a “bright light”, a good guy and a conscientious worker. Smith was a mother of five, and had been caring for her ill mother, who lives in Arizona.

So far, homicide detectives have been questioning a woman who was dating Arline, in order to verify her alibi. They have also been trying to find the man who had been seeing Smith, in order to interview him as well. So far it’s unclear if these individuals, whose identity hasn’t been disclosed yet, are actually persons of interest in this case.

Fingerprints have been collected from the inside and outside of the vehicle, and are currently being analyzed by forensic experts. Cellphone records have also been obtained, and are being reviewed for possible clues.

Also, authorities are appealing to the public to provide them with any useful information which might bear relevance to the case. Those who believe they could help advance the investigation can contact the homicide division at 215-686-3334.

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