Murder Suspect Charged With Killing An Unborn Child in KOP

NORRISTOWN, PA — A 38-year-old West Philadelphia man, already charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of his ex-girlfriend, was charged today with the murder of her 14-week unborn child.

Rafiq Thompson is accused of stalking and then killing 31-year-old Tamara Cornelius as she was pumping gasoline Friday night at a King of Prussia gas station.

An autopy conducted Saturday at Paoli Hospital found that Cornelius was 14 weeks pregnant at the time of her death.

Cornelius died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, medical officials said.

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele announced the new charge during a press conference today in the district attorney's grand jury room here.

Under Pennsylvania law, slaying of an unborn child is defined as first-degree murder when committed by an intentional killing.

Thompson was on the run for five days before turning himself in to authorties on Wednesday morning.

A $5,000 reward had been posted Monday for the capture of Thompson, 38, who is a Philadelphia resident.

A joint investigation was conducted by Upper Merion police an the Montgomery County detective bureau.

The case

According to police:

The investigation disclosed that Thompson texted Cornelius 93 times and called her 21 times from from April 4-6. The victim did not answer the calls or texts.

At 5:55 p.m. Friday, Thompson texted Cornelius inviting her to go out the dinner and Cornelius responded with several phone calls.

Thompson and Cornelius talked briefly outside the Cheesecake Factory at the King of Prussia Mall at around 9:10 p.m.

The waiter who served the two told detectives they appeared to be having a contentious conversation.

When the waiter brought the food to the table, Thompson left.

Cornelius asked the waiter to box the food for takeout. She then left the restaurant.

Thompson followed Cornelius from the restaurant to the mall parking garage, and then to the Exxon station at 113 N. Gulph Road.

A surveillance video at the gas station showed Thompson raising his right arm and pointing a dark-colored handgun at Cornelius as she was pumping gas.

Thompson got out of his car, spoke to her, and shot her multiple times.

They added that he continued to shoot her as she attempted to run away.

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

An ambulance took her to Paoli Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Thompson, meanwhile, was purchasing food at the drive-through of a McDonald's restaurant about an hour and a half after the slaying.

Gun recovered

On Monday, a worker applying fertilizer at the Executive Terrace, 455 S. Gulph Road, found a black semi-automatic handgun in a flower bed.

The worker turned the firearm to police, and a ballistic examination determined the weapon was used by Thompson in the slaying.

Thompson is in the Montgomery County Correctional Facility, Eagleville.

Domestic violence help

The investigation found this was a relationship-related violent murder, as the victim and the defendant had dated prior.

The district attorney's office asks that anyone who is in a similar situation to these local Domestic Violence Hotlines:

Laurel House: 800-642-3150

Women’s Center of Montgomery County: 800-773-2424.