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Two men were slain blocks apart early on consecutive afternoons with one bordering Dickinson Narrows and the second bordering East Passyunk.
Police discovered Rahfee Yates, 20, at 1:51 p.m. April 20 with multiple gunshot wounds on the 1800 block of South Sixth Street — less than two blocks from his residence on the 700 block of Dudley Street, Officer Tanya Little of the Police Public Affairs Unit said.
Yates was transported by friends to Methodist Hospital, but was pronounced dead at 2:15 p.m., Little said.
A 14-year-old boy was caught in the crossfire, Little said. Wounded in the back and left leg, he was transported to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in stable condition.
The following day at 12:01 p.m. police arrived to the 800 block of McClellan Street to find Jeffery Hardee, 21, of the 1600 block of Jackson Street, with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body, Little said. The Newbold resident was transported to Jefferson where he was pronounced dead 50 minutes later.
The motive for either crime was unknown at press time as was if the homicides were connected, Little said.
“There is some speculation, but there is nothing confirmed,” she said.
Both victims had records, according to court documents. Yates was charged with two counts each of aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy engaging murder, possession of an instrument of crime, recklessly endangering another person, firearm violations and related charges for a June 19, 2010 arrest. That trial was scheduled to begin Sept. 19. Hardee was arrested Oct. 29, 2010 and charged with conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance, recklessly endangering another person and firearm violations. That trial was set to continue May 6.
To report information, call Homicide Division at 215-686-3334 or www.phillypolice.com/forms.
Contact Managing Editor Amanda L. Snyder at asnyder@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
Also in this week’s Police Report:
Abandoned son
Teen missing
Fugitive surrenders
Cab fare heist
Neighbor tiff
Alleged outsider criminal
Drug take back
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