Officers first responded to the scene around 8 p.m. Wednesday on the 2900 block of North 27th Street after receiving a call about a person with a weapon.
Police identified the victim as Dolores Robinson.
According to Staff Inspector Ernest Ransom, Isiaih Rahatt, 47, is charged with murder in her death. Police said Rahatt lived next door to Robinson.
Philadelphia police provide update after 83-year-old stabbed to death on front porch
Ransom said that Robinson was stabbed once in the neck and suffered cuts on her face. He said she was also found with BB gun pellets in her head and hand.
Police said Rahatt has 15 priors, including at least three instances of aggravated assault.
"Oh yeah, there have been police out here with regard to him. Yes, they have been in the past," said Nasir Bey, who lives nearby.
Neighbors told Action News they are furious about the brutal murder.
"A very nice lady was viciously attacked just on her porch," said neighbor Merrell Roberts.
Investigators believe that Robinson was on her porch and at some point went inside her home. That's when investigators say Rahatt followed her inside and a struggle ensued.
"Eventually they ended up back on Ms. Robinson's porch where she was fatally stabbed in the neck and shot with a BB gun," Ransom said.
Neighbors who describe Robinson as a neighborhood icon say they're fuming that someone could do something so cold to such a sweet woman.
"I am very peed off. Oh yeah. I can't concentrate today," said Bey.
"All that lady wanted to do was be beautiful. The person who did this is a sick individual seriously," Roberts added.
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