Pregnant Woman Killed At KOP Gas Station, $5K Reward Offered: DA

UPPER MERION TWP — Montgomery County District Attorney's Office is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a 38-year-old Philadelphia man accused of the fatal Friday shooting of his pregnant ex-girlfriend who was pumping gas at a King of Prussia station.

Rafiq Thompson, 38, of North 47th St., West Philadelphia is accused of stalking and then killing 31-year-old Tamara Cornelius as she was pumping gasoline at 10:22 p.m. at the Exxon Station at 113 N. Gulph Road.

An autopsy conducted today in Paoli Hospital, Chester County, found that Cornelius was pregnant at the time of her death. The victim's address was not provided by authorities.

Dr. Ericka Williams, a forensic pathologist with the Chester County District Attorney's office, determined Cornelius died as a result of multiple gunshot wound, ruling the death was homicide.

"This was a chilling murder of a young woman and her unborn child," District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said. "We will be filing an additional homicide charge against the defendant - murder of an unborn child."

A warrant was issued Saturday for Thompson's arrest on first-degree murder and related charges.

The case

The victim and the suspect had previously dated, according to police.

The two had talked briefly in the King of Prussia mall at 9:10 p.m. Friday evening before the victim went to have dinner.

After the victim left the restaurant, Thompson watched her walk to her car and followed her to the gas station and fatally shot the victim.

Cornelius was found lying in the gas station parking lot suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

She was taken to Paoli Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 11:09 p.m.

A witness told police that he he overheard the two arguing at the gas station for 10 to 15 minutes before the hearing gunshots.

The witness said he heard a man shout, "I don't care if I go to jail."

Detectives recovered four 9 mm cartridge casings and a take-out bag from The Cheesecake Factory on the front seat of the victim’s car.

The suspect has a prior record of convictions on aggravated assault and weapon offenses, police said.

Thompson is to be considered armed and dangerous as the firearm was not recovered at the scene. He was driving a 2011 Nissan Maxima with a registration of LRF-5263.

Thompson is described as Black, stands 5-feet, 7-inches tall, and weighs approximately 167 pounds.

To provide tips about Thompson’s whereabouts, the public is asked to call Upper Merion Township Police at 610-265-3232 or the Montgomery County Detectives at 610-226-5553.