Murder Warrant Issued In Upper Merion Fatal Shooting Friday

UPPER MERION TWP — Police are searching for a 38-year-old Philadelphia man in the fatal shooting Friday night of a woman who was pumping gas at the Exxon Station at 113 N. Gulph Road, Upper Merion Township.

Rafiq Thompson, 38, of North 47th St., is accused of killing 31-year-old Tamara Cornelius, address unavailable, as she was pumping gasoline at 10:22 p.m.

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Upper Merion Police Chief Thomas Nolan she the public's help in finding Thompson.

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

The victim and the suspect had a prior relationship, according to police.

The two had talked briefly in the King of Prussia mall Friday evening before the victim went for dinner.

Thompson watched Cornelius go 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.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday by the Chester County Coroner’s Office.

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.

Thompson is to be considered armed and dangerous as the firearm was not recovered at the scene.

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’ Tip Line at 610-278-DOIT (3638).

Anonymous text tips can be submitted using MontcoCrimeTips on the STOPit! App.