A Philadelphia man accused of shooting and killing a pregnant woman at a gas station in Montgomery County Friday evening has been taken into custody.
Rafiq Thompson, 38, of Philadelphia, turned himself in to officials Wednesday morning, two days after the district attorney’s office offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Thompson has been charged with first-degree murder, criminal homicide, person not to possess a firearm and related offenses in connection with the investigation.
A spokesperson for the district attorney’s office said they anticipate additional charges being filed. Thompson is awaiting his preliminary arraignment at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, and due to the charges, he will be ineligible for bail.
“This violent criminal is now safely behind bars due to the great work of the Upper Merion Police and Montgomery County Detectives. I want to thank the public for the many tips we received, which put a spotlight on the defendant,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele.
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 31-year-old Tamara 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.
An autopsy was performed on Monday morning, which listed Cornelius’ cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds, and her manner of death as homicide, according to the district attorney’s office.
The autopsy also revealed that Cornelius was pregnant at the time of her death.
“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 Steele.
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
