UPDATE: April 11, 1:42 p.m. – The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of 38-year-old Rafiq Thompson, of Philadelphia.
Prosecutors have also filed an additional homicide charge against Thompson, as Monday’s autopsy showed that 31-year-old Tamara Cornelius was pregnant at the time of her death. Her cause of death has been listed as multiple gunshot wounds, and her manner of death has been listed as homicide, according to the district attorney’s office.
“This was a chilling murder of a young woman and her unborn child. We will be filing an additional homicide charge against the defendant—Murder of an Unborn Child,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele.
Original story follows…
An arrest warrant has been issued for a Philadelphia man in connection with the death of 31-year-old Tamara Cornelius, who was shot and killed while pumping gas on Friday night in Upper Merion Township.Rafiq Thompson, 38, of North 47th Street, has been charged with first-degree murder, person not to possess a firearm and related offenses in connection with the investigation. Thompson is considered to be armed and dangerous as the firearm has not been recovered. He is listed as 5-feet, 7-inches tall weighing approximately 167 pounds.
Police were dispatched to the 100 block of North Gulph Road at 10:22 p.m. on April 8 for a report of shots fired. Arriving first responders found Cornelius lying on the gas station parking lot with multiple gunshot wounds, and she was subsequently transported to Paoli hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 11:09 p.m.
Investigators determined that Cornelius and Thompson had a prior relationship, and the two had met and spoken briefly at 9:11 p.m. before the victim went to have dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, according to charging documents. Investigators said the victim left the restaurant at 10:15 p.m. with Thompson following her, and he then stepped out of his vehicle while she was pumping gas, engaged in a brief conversation and then shot her.
Thompson then continued to shoot the victim as she attempted to get away, police said.
Anyone with information about Thompson’s whereabouts is asked to call Upper Merion Township Police at 610-265-3232. Anonymous tips can be submitted using MontcoCrimeTips on the STOPit app. Anyone who may spot Thompson is asked to immediately dial 9-1-1.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using court records and the affidavit of probable cause.
See also:
Montco Catholic School Principal Accused of Stealing More Than $25,000 from School
Montco Sex Offender Arrested Again on Child Porn Charges
Man Charged with Attempted Murder After Wednesday Morning Shoot Out with Police in Montco
Montco Man Accused of Killing Infant Son, Charged with Third-Degree Murder
Former Philly Corrections Officer Charged with Straw Purchase of Firearms at Gun Show in Montco
