West Phila. man sought in slaying

A warrant was issued yesterday for the arrest of a West Philadelphia man identified as one of the shooters in the May 31 gunbattle that killed the step-grandson of Philadelphia boxing legend Joe Frazier, police said.

Rodney Evans, 32, of Ludlow Street near 55th, is wanted in connection with the shooting death of 25-year-old Peter Lyde Jr., who was also the stepson of Court of Common Pleas Judge Jacquelyn Frazier-Lyde.

Evans is described as black, 6 feet 5 and about 300 pounds.

Lyde, of Old York Road near Luzerne Street, was caught in the crossfire while working as a security guard at Pleasures on the Ridge bar at 22nd Street and Ridge Avenue in North Philadelphia.

A bartender and patron began arguing about 1 a.m., then two other patrons joined in and opened fire, police said.

Lyde was shot in the chest and pronounced dead at Hahnemann University Hospital about a half-hour later.

Tipsters can contact the Homicide Unit Fugitive Squad at 215-686-3068 or 215-686-3084. *